THE mayor of Stockton stormed out of a meeting over claims councillors are getting secret briefings. 

All was initially calm at Tuesday’s adult social care select committee as a discussion was held about the council’s ongoing review of care in homes for older people. 

But 80 minutes into the meeting, Conservative councillor Lynn Hall took exception to a health document held by veteran councillor Bill Woodhead. 

Independent Cllr Woodhead wanted some clarification from the 28-page document by Healthwatch Stockton. However, Cllr Hall didn’t have it. 

The Conservative member said: “Can we have that clarified please? I think you are reading from a different crib sheet Cllr Woodhead.

“He’s got a full report? Well we haven’t got it. Sorry chairman, there are two meetings going on here.”

Acting chairwoman Cllr Clare Gamble said it was possible it had been sent out in an email before the meeting. 

But an unimpressed Cllr Hall left. The member for Hartburn added: “We’re obviously having briefings before meetings – it’s wasting my time.”

After the dust settled, council officer Judith Trainer sought to clarify matters. 

She said: “I did send a link around to all committee members to the full report ahead of the meeting – I think that’s what Cllr Woodhead is referring to.”

Cllr Paul Weston, Labour member for Newtown, hit back at the mayor’s claims.

He added: “It was mentioned by the councillor who’d left the room that there’d been some pre-briefings before the meeting for councillors – can we confirm that hasn’t happened.”

Meanwhile, Ms Trainer sought to end any uncertainty. The democratic services officer added: “Just to be absolutely clear, I sent the full link to the Healthwatch report to every member of the committee.

“There has been absolutely no briefings.”

Briefings before important meetings are common at councils and organisations across the political spectrum. 

After Labour lost its majority in Stockton, leader Cllr Bob Cook said he intended to hold a “working group” with other party leaders before big decisions were made.

But bad blood over briefings has spilled over since. Labour-led Stockton Council revealed it had bought the Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel for £13.8m last month – with a number of plans on the table. 

Claims flew about who was told what at Stockton Town Hall last month. 

Conservative leader Cllr Matt Vickers shared worries leaders of other groups hadn’t been told about the agreement to buy the Castlegate until a press release had been sent out. 

However, Cllr Cook said it simply wasn’t the case. 

The Labour leader added: “No – the agreement to look at buying the Castlegate centre was in March this year – and it was explained to leaders of all the groups at the time. 

“I do believe you attended one of the leaders’ sessions to look at that plan – it took a few months to get that legal agreement in place.

“That’s when the decision was made – in March.”

The review into care homes for older people will continue next month.