Hadleigh councillors we're unable to discuss an important item about a controversial staffing matter after bungling officials failed to put the confidential item on the public agenda.

Councillors were due to talk about the item in part two of Thursday's public meeting, which usually happens after the public section of the meeting has been concluded.

However, clerk Wendy Brame did not put the item on the agenda, nor the motion to exclude the pass and public, which councillors need to vote on to be able to discuss confidential topics, which was posted publicly as required by law.

Cllr Huw Roberts pointed out that the confidential item was not on the agenda and so could not be considered, the mayor and one other councillor said they had an agenda with the item on, and councillor Minns initially insisted the item would be discussed.

At least two other councillors said they had not received an agenda with the item on ether and it was eventually decided the council could not exclude the press and public or talk about the item which had to be discussed in private as it was a delicate staffing matter.

Meanwhile, councillors voiced their frustration that many of them had been excluded from knowing about a police a forum, after council staff only sent the details to councillors Minns and Gordon McLeod, who subsequently went to the event.

Cllr McLeod insisted there was nothing 'secret squirrel' about him attending and future forum events were open to other councillors and the public.

• Tax payers in Hadleigh pay around £100,000 a year to cover town council office staff wages.

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