Police guard for council meeting

LAST night's Derwent Valley Council meeting was monitored by three police officers in case any members of the public overstayed their welcome.

Three police officers sat in two vehicles parked outside the courthouse in Circle St, New Norfolk. One appeared to be parked on private property. They did not leave until the front doors of the courthouse were locked.

The police presence was in response to the situation at last month's council meeting held at Molesworth, where the closed session had to be abandoned when a member of the public refused to leave.

Two police officers were present when that meeting reconvened a week later at the New Norfolk Courthouse and this presence was increased to three for last night's meeting.

Despite an interesting closed agenda including the outcomes of the Willow Court Expressions of Interest process, no members of the public attempted to stay for the closed session, although several members of staff stayed behind without explanation.