DISCUSSIONS surrounding Pembrokeshire County Council’s loan to a developer for the development of the old school site in Narberth were held in private yesterday (Jul 18).

An Extraordinary meeting of the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee was called to debate the matter following a decision made by Cabinet which was called in by Cllr Jacob Williams.

At the Cabinet meeting on July 4, discussions were also held in private sessions but it was agreed that the council should accept a revised offer from the developer, Abbeymore Estates/Knox, and that a loan be made available to them in order to facilitate the development of the site.

It is understood that the loan is more than £2million.

The Extraordinary Economy committee convened and discussed whether or not the matter should be held in private.

Councillor Jonathan Nutting asked for the reasons why the meeting should be held in private but the director, Dr Stephen Jones, only repeated what was set out on the agenda.

Cllr Mike John said: “We’ve got a duty to the developer and we’re in a negotiation position with that developer and they are acting with us in good faith and it wouldn’t be right for that information to go out.”

Cllr Guy Woodham asked whether or not parts of the meeting could be held in private rather than the whole meeting.

The Council’s Legal officer, Clair Incledon, said that parts of the meeting could be taken in public but added that officers would not be able to provide information as confidently as they would if it was held in private.

Cllr John added that the reason for the meeting taking place was the financial aspects of the report.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “Cllr Nutting asked a straightforward question; what information was likely to fall into that category and Dr Jones just repeated what’s on the agenda, he repeated there is likely to be information, but I was quite clear that Cllr Nutting wanted to know what information.

“I don’t accept that there is actually commercially sensitive information, what we regard as that could be that the developer is struggling or failing to attract private investment which is already a matter of public interest.

“We have to weigh up the public interest and I would ask the question; what is to be gained or what is to be lost by convening in public. What I think would be gained is public confidence or at least the ability for the public to know what actually has gone on.

“If we convene in secret today, it would be secrecy for secrecy’s sake and there is a lot to be gained by holding this meeting in public.

“A lot rides on this report and it is a fundamental part to the cabinet decision so I would say that should be in the public.”

Cllr Michael Williams said: “The report states that the Strategic Asset Management group discussed this application, I’m a member of that group but I’m not sure if we can make binding recommendations.

“I can’t see the difference between the loan we gave to Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners of £1.5million which were discussed in public and yet when I asked to see the business plan I was told it was commercially sensitive and confidential and I had to sign a confidentiality document before I could see it.

“This is the allocation of public money and too often we retreat behind the cloak of privacy.”

Cllr Mike Evans said there was confidentiality but added: “It’s whether the principle of public knowledge, with public funds, outweighs this, and taking on board Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse’s comment that a developer might walk away, this is a game changer and I am interested in it that the authority uses some of our assets to enable development within the county.

“The terms of the loan that this authority might offer could well open up a new market and this might lead to developers walking in.”

Cllr Mike John proposed that the meeting be held in private session and that was passed by eight votes to five.