FRUSTRATION was vented over the lack of access to the contract with Urbaser Balfour Beatty at the extraordinary meeting to cancel the incinerator.

The Lib Dems, Labour and the Green Party called for “total transparency” saying they should have been given a chance to view the contract as part of the decision-making process.

GlosVAIN chairman, Sue Oppenheimer said: “We’re continuing to pursue access to the information because nobody has seen the contract.

“The Local Government Transparency Code (new legislation) says that there’s no excuse for councils to hide behind commercial confidentiality on contracts.”

Chalford lawyer Ray Purdy brought the new piece of legislation to the attention of the SNJ.

It sets out the minimum data local authorities should now be publishing.

The code states: “The government has not seen any evidence that publishing details about contracts entered into by local authorities would prejudice procurement exercises or the interests of commercial organisations, or breach commercial confidentiality unless specific confidentiality clauses are included in contracts.

“Local authorities should publish details of contracts newly entered into – commercial confidentiality should not, in itself, be a reason for local authorities to not follow the code.”

The code specifically mentions that with regard to waste, local authorities must publish details of their existing waste collection contracts.

From Gloucestershire County Council Jo Walker, Director of Strategic Finance, said: “Councillors have seen the contract, it’s been publicly available for review since the summer of 2013.

"The only information that has been withheld within the contract is commercially sensitive and that means we’re not legally allowed to share it.

“Now that planning permission has been granted we’re reviewing the contract again and if we find anything else that can be shared, it will be available as soon as possible.”