Firstly this was a Open Public Meeting that any resident could attend. Invitations are not necessary or issued.

It is astonishing that an organisation asks to be scrutinised and then don't attend the meeting where the discussion with the politicians takes place. Papers for the meeting where published a week in advance.

The purpose of the meeting is so that a case can be put to the politicians as to why a request for scrutiny has been made.

Scrutiny was not refused is was agreed that a constructive way forward had to be agreed and brought back to the next council planning and liaison meeting chaired by Cllr Mary Mears next week.

To blame a council officer for coming up with the ideas, who is unable to respond in the way an elected politician can is unacceptable especially when Pride have received so much help from the council.

Uniquely the reaction of all politicians who spoke at the meeting was the same, there was cross party agreement and a concensus that everyone present wanted to help Pride move forward. This was not possible with Pride not being there to answer any questions, hence my headline.

I believe my report to be factually correct and I stand by it.

A full video of the meeting is available on the council website at:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

The council papers for the meeting can be found at:
http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=23066