Who can attend meetings?

Anyone can attend meetings but a local authority can exclude the public from a meeting if the meeting is likely to disclose information that could be lawfully withheld. The reasons for excluding the public must be stated; it cannot be merely for a free and frank discussion.

What about meetings where the public are excluded?

Copies of the minutes taken at those meetings can be requested. A request for meeting minutes will be considered as a request for official information. Just because the meeting was closed to the public does not mean a request would be automatically turned down. The request must be considered in the light of the circumstances at the time the request is made.