A MEETING to discuss the effectiveness of Boscombe’s controversial surf reef will be held behind closed doors, it has been revealed.

The public and press will be barred from a briefing on a long-awaited report to ascertain whether the reef has lived up to expectations in the first six months.

Boscombe West councillor Phil Stanley-Watts said: “I’m not happy because the reef is such a major talking point in Bournemouth and people understandably want to know what’s going on.

“I’ve been told there will be a members’ briefing in a couple of weeks’ time. If members have to be briefed first there should be another meeting afterwards to enable the public to hear the full facts.”

He added: “A lot of people in my ward are very supportive of what is going on at the seafront but want to be kept informed. There should be greater transparency.”

A meeting scheduled for Wednesday April 21 was cancelled because the principal speaker was unable to attend.

Dr Mark Davidson from Plymouth University was stranded in Tenerife due to the volcanic ash threat on air travel.

The findings of the April 21 briefing had been due to be released to the public on Friday April 23.

The Daily Echo has already revealed the cost of redeveloping Boscombe seafront, including the reef, was set to rise again to more than £11.3 million from an original £8.29 million estimate and an increase of almost £300,000 in a year.

The cost of the reef alone has almost doubled from £1.359 million to £2.6 million.

The borough’s executive director for environment and economic services, Tony Williams, said: “It remains vital elected members are given access to the first hand knowledge and expertise that Dr Davidson can bring, so that they have all the information necessary to scrutinise the findings of the interim monitoring arrangements.

“Following the briefing with elected members a cabinet report specifically on the performance of the reef can be prepared and will be made public.”