SECRECY prevailed again at South Lakeland District Council this week, when a meeting of the general purposes committee was conducted away from the press and public. The meeting - to discuss disciplinary matters arising from a pay and grading structure inquiry - was listed to be held in Kendal Town Hall's council chamber but the councillors were found behind the closed door of committee room A. When a Westmorland Gazette reporter entered the meeting, members voted unanimously to exclude him. Acting chief executive Mike Jones said he would make no comment regarding the inquiry. It is understood that three senior management staff remain suspended while investigations continue into how the new pay structure cost the council an alleged £1 million more than expected.
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