Peter Stewart

And this is where things start to get a little bit complicated. Jonathan Essex, as other councillors have suggested during the course of the meeting as well, was very concerned about when different options were actually published and made available for discussion previously. Here's the thrust of his argument.

And this is where things start to get a little bit complicated. Jonathan Essex, as other councillors have suggested during the course of the meeting as well, was very concerned about when different options were actually published and made available for discussion previously. Here's the thrust of his argument.

Things were checked and there was a reassurance that it had been included and it had been discussed and considered, although no specific size of an alternative venue had been mentioned in that previous paperwork. So money has been put aside. Money has been earmarked. Why is that not a specific promise? We've touched on this before, but Councillor Biggs wanted to mention it again.

Things were checked and there was a reassurance that it had been included and it had been discussed and considered, although no specific size of an alternative venue had been mentioned in that previous paperwork. So money has been put aside. Money has been earmarked. Why is that not a specific promise? We've touched on this before, but Councillor Biggs wanted to mention it again.

Councillor Biggs there talking about the local government reform and whether Reigate and Banstead is going to be included in the first wave of changes or whether those changes will happen later on in the year. And of course that is important.

Councillor Biggs there talking about the local government reform and whether Reigate and Banstead is going to be included in the first wave of changes or whether those changes will happen later on in the year. And of course that is important.

Because, of course, that timeline, which we've already mentioned previously earlier on in this podcast, about how soon they have to ensure that that money is earmarked, put aside or indeed promised for the rebuild, refurb of the Harlequin. Or there may be a danger that it's taken away. Will be made on Monday. That's Monday, the 3rd of February, 2025.

Because, of course, that timeline, which we've already mentioned previously earlier on in this podcast, about how soon they have to ensure that that money is earmarked, put aside or indeed promised for the rebuild, refurb of the Harlequin. Or there may be a danger that it's taken away. Will be made on Monday. That's Monday, the 3rd of February, 2025.

Councillor Essex then coming back and standing his ground and trying to make it clear that as far as he was concerned, information which he'd been told had been published to councillors before, had not.

Councillor Essex then coming back and standing his ground and trying to make it clear that as far as he was concerned, information which he'd been told had been published to councillors before, had not.

We are rather getting into the long grass here, but it was obviously important to Councillor Essex and Councillor Nick Harrison try to help.

We are rather getting into the long grass here, but it was obviously important to Councillor Essex and Councillor Nick Harrison try to help.

And it was immediately confirmed that the number of seats for the Big Top in Memorial Park was 500.

And it was immediately confirmed that the number of seats for the Big Top in Memorial Park was 500.

And you'll remember part two is where the councillors, excluding the public, whether in person or online, discuss confidential business decisions.

And you'll remember part two is where the councillors, excluding the public, whether in person or online, discuss confidential business decisions.

At which point the feed online was turned off and the public were asked to leave the chamber while those other issues were discussed. And that period happened over the course of an hour. And then the vote came. So what the councillors are voting on is what you've heard and what you haven't heard.

At which point the feed online was turned off and the public were asked to leave the chamber while those other issues were discussed. And that period happened over the course of an hour. And then the vote came. So what the councillors are voting on is what you've heard and what you haven't heard.

So obviously I've had a cut down of the part one discussion and questions and debate that was going on. But what neither you nor I are privy to is what happened in part two, because that was what happened in camera, in secret, in private, in the council chamber with no access to the press or indeed the public. So the councillor's voting on a number of issues. There are eight in total.

So obviously I've had a cut down of the part one discussion and questions and debate that was going on. But what neither you nor I are privy to is what happened in part two, because that was what happened in camera, in secret, in private, in the council chamber with no access to the press or indeed the public. So the councillor's voting on a number of issues. There are eight in total.