Westmorland and Furness Council has defended its decision to exclude the public and press from two separate meetings involving senior leadership restructuring and an investigation into the conduct of an elected councillor.
A staffing committee meeting held at 12.30pm on Friday, May 15, considered major changes to the authority’s senior leadership structure. However, two agenda items — an update on senior leadership restructuring and an appointment panel for strategic director roles — were discussed in private session.
The council said the items were exempt from publication under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 because discussions were likely to reveal the identities of individuals involved.
A council spokesperson said employment matters are protected under the Data Protection Act 2018 and that discussing candidates publicly could infringe their rights.
The spokesperson said: “The items are exempt from publication under Schedule 12A, paragraphs (1) and (2) of the Local Government Act 1972 as they relate to information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.
“Under the Data Protection Act 2018, employment matters are subject to an enhanced level of protection and such information can only be processed to the extent it is necessary for the purpose of the employment exercise.
“Consequently, having the identity of individual candidates discussed in a public report and/or discussion would likely infringe the individuals’ data rights.
“An announcement will be made in due course should an appointment be made and accepted.”
The authority has previously announced proposals to reduce costs within its senior management structure by around £1.75 million per year. The restructuring programme forms part of a wider “reshaping and reduction” exercise, with a new structure expected to be implemented from July 2026 following consultation.
Separately, the council also defended its decision to hold a standards and governance sub-committee meeting in private on Friday morning.
The hearing related to an investigation into the “standards of conduct and behaviour” of an elected councillor. Members of the public and press were excluded from attending.
The council again cited legal exemptions relating to personal information and said complaints involving councillors must go through a formal process to ensure fairness and due process.
A spokesperson said: “The item is exempt from publication under Schedule 12A, paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 as it contains information which relates to an individual.
“The committee will need to make a decision before proceeding as to whether the matter should go ahead in private, having regard to the public interest, the individual’s data rights and rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.
“No details of allegations against councillors are released because they must go through the council’s formal complaints procedures to ensure due process in accordance with the rules of natural justice — the right to a fair hearing.
“If allegations are substantiated and formal action is taken against a councillor following a hearing, then the decision will usually be published.”
The decisions to hold both meetings behind closed doors are likely to raise fresh questions over transparency at the authority, particularly as the council continues major organisational changes and faces ongoing public scrutiny over governance and leadership.
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