Special Council meeting postponed 

The meeting, which will consider the submission draft of Rugby’s Local Plan, will now take place on 21 June at the BENN Hall.

While there is no technical reason why the meeting could not still take place on the original date, officers have advised councillors that contentious issues should not be debated or publicised during periods of heightened sensitivity such as during a general election campaign. The general election due to take place on 8 June was called after the original meeting date was set.

Adam Norburn, Executive Director of Rugby Borough Council, said: “The day to day work of local government must continue regardless of any election. However, statutory guidance issued by the government makes it quite clear that public authorities must restrict publicity on contentious issues during election periods. This is to avoid any possibility of the democratic process being influenced by council publicity.

“While it is still possible to hold the meeting and comply with the guidelines, on balance I consider that the public interest is best served by moving the meeting and allowing a full and open debate on the matters to be discussed.”

The delay of four weeks will not affect materially the council’s draft timetable on submission of the Local Plan.