SECRECY CLOAK THROWN OVER COUNCIL INSURANCE PLAN

A 'cloak of secrecy' has been thrown over a Devon council's insurance arrangements - even though it published a public report setting out what it spends, and its intention NOT to look for a better deal.

Now councillors who challenged the decision not to search for a saving have been told the debate about Teignbridge Council's insurance contract MUST be held behind closed doors as managers say it is commercial sensitive information.

Liberal Democrat councillors have asked for the authority's insurance contract to be debated next week (21 November) at the Teignbridge scrutiny committee and even though the council itself sent out the report as a public document at the end of October, the debate will be in secret the council has ruled.

"So much for an open and transparent council," said Cllr Alan Connett, the Lib Dem who is leading on this issue for his colleagues on Teignbridge, where the chief executive has had a £15,000 pay rise.

"The council itself sent out an unrestricted notice the end of October setting out how much it spends on insurance. The contract is up for renewal and they are proposing to stay with the same firm.

"As soon as I queried that, the council then said it was a confidential matter and shouldn't be disclosed to anyone else.

"Now that we have challenged the council's decision not to test the market and see if we can get a better deal, they have insisted the debate next week is held in secret behind closed doors.

"At home, we are encouraged by the money saving experts to shop around for better deals, cheaper insurance or even just ask the current insurer if they can do it for less.

"I know the council spends an eye-watering amount on insurance so I really can't see why they don't want to go to other insurance firms and see if we can save money. After all, this is the public's money. It comes from the council tax payers. We owe it to them to get the best deal we can," added Cllr Connett.

Last week the council refused to divulge any further details about the Conservative councillor who had not paid £1,259.57 in Council Tax and was taken to court by the authority.

Teignbridge says it will not disclose the councillor's identity because of data protection, said Cllr Connett.

"It's interesting though that when people are convicted of fly tipping, the council sends out a news release to the local media announcing the conviction and saying who the person is. It's willing to publish those details but not that of a councillor who didn't pay their council tax," he added.

"Residents across the district may well think there is one law for the Conservatives running the council and another rule for everyone else living in the district. They have to watch what they spend and get the best deals, but the council seems content to carry on paying a staggering sum for its insurance without shopping around," said Cllr Connett.