Councils at loggerheads over secret plans (Leicester Mercury 5/12/08)

Two councils are at loggerheads over the right to discuss secret plans for travellers' sites.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has written to Groby Parish Council saying a meeting arranged for tonight may "create concern where none is necessary".

It comes after the Leicester Mercury was handed a document showing potential sites, including one in Groby, when it was left behind after a briefing for borough councillors.

The confidential paperwork showed two travellers' sites were being considered for land near Groby and Earl Shilton.

It also showed four smaller sites in Stanton under Bardon, Stoke Golding, Newbold Verdon and west of Hinckley.
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Papers also say four extensions to existing sites in Cadeby, Markfield, Desford and Barlestone will be considered.

The borough council said the parish "may therefore wish to consider whether the meeting should proceed if the confidential information forms part of the discussion".

Borough council bosses have said the plans are not finalised, and it may create confusion for residents who attend the meeting.

Peter Batty, Groby Parish Council chairman and also a borough councillor, said the meeting will still go ahead.

He said: "How can anyone claim a report that has been leaked in full to the media, who have in turn published the controversial details and to county councillors who have distributed detailed reports in my ward, to still be confidential."

Link to Leicester Mercury Article