THE public and members of the media were on Wednesday shut out of a discussion on the presentation of the Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) $3.7B budget for 2017.Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Oscar Clarke, moved a motion to have the budged presented behind closed doors and it was seconded by Councillor Junior Garrett. Eleven councillors voted in favour, 10 against and one abstained.

City Constabulary officers could not explain who passed down the orders to shut everyone out, although they insisted that they were given “specific” orders.

Several officers at City Hall were puzzled as to why no one was allowed in, as in the past years, reporters were always on hand to cover the presentation.

Reporters were told that provision is made in the laws governing the City Council for “in camera” or private sessions.

Members of the media could not even go near the stairs leading up to the chamber and were even asked to leave the City Hall compound.