LICENSING panel members are expected to hear a 60-page report behind closed doors when they meet next week.

The subject has not been revealed and neither has the general nature of why the report needs to be considered confidentially.

An agenda for the Tuesday March 22 meeting, to be held in the Dorset Room at Colliton House at 10am says: “The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered,” having said: “Members of the public are welcome to attend this meeting, apart from any items listed in the exempt part of this agenda.”

Three councillors are listed to be at the sub-committee meeting – Emma Parker, Jon Andrews and Les Fry.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked Dorset Council to explain, even in general terms, why the meeting needs to be held in private and what the justification for this, unusual, step might be.

After several days a response has not been received.