In a closed session of council this week, Dubbo councilllors decided to accede to the request of the corporation (formerly trading as Grow Dubbo) for a copy of transcripts of the April and May council meetings, but three councillors gave notice of a motion of rescission immediately.

Grow Dubbo made the request to the council in a letter dated September 7. It stated that the reason was “potential issues arising from breaches of non-disclosure of agreements in place with certain clients of Grow Dubbo because of confidential information being given to the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Liberal”.

It was considered at the meeting on September 28, where Cr Greg Matthews was happy to say yes, but Cr Peter Bartley urged caution.

“I believe the organisation is seeking to further legal action to people in the chamber,” he said, adding that he would not be a party to “skewering” anyone.

At the September meeting the council resolved to gain further legal advice.

This week the council resolved to allow the public company copies of audio recordings and to keep the documents and considerations confidential to council.

Councillors will consider the motion at an extraordinary meeting on Friday, but they are likely to do so behind closed doors.

The business papers reveal that general manager Mark Riley is of the opinion that the meeting will be closed to the public because the matter concerns “advice concerning litigation, or advice that would otherwise be privileged from production in legal proceedings”.

faye.wheeler@rura lpress.com