Before and after meetings

The following is information on what the council must do before and after meetings.

The Act says that agendas and reports for meetings are to be open for inspection by the public and the press at County Hall at least five days before a meeting. This does not include reports on items which are confidential or likely to be exempt.
Where we call a meeting at shorter notice the papers will be open to inspection from that time.
If we add an item to an agenda after we have published the papers for the meeting, the report will be open to inspection straight away. The Chair must consider it as urgent. This can only happen if there are special circumstances, which we will record in the minutes.
Agendas do not include an "any other business" item.
We can send open papers to newspapers, agencies and broadcasting organisations on request.

After meetings:

Copies of agendas, reports and minutes are available at County Hall for inspection for up to six years after a meeting. We will add a written summary to the minutes of any part of the meeting which excluded the public.