Councillors have made what appears to be a significant decision during the confidential section of the August 25 Clarence Valley Council meeting.

Councillors unanimously adopted a recommendation regarding the site of the former Maclean services club, which is owned by the Maclean RSL Sub-branch.

However, what that decision entails remains confidential under Section 10A 2 (d) ii of the Local Government Act, which specifies that “commercial information of a confidential nature that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a competitor of the council … can be closed to the public”.

Meanwhile, the sub-branch is still party to a $1.2million offer to purchase the property, despite the prospective buyer withdrawing her development application to turn the building into, predominantly, a funeral home.

The council’s general manager, Ashley Lindsay, declined to make any comment on the matter, due to the confidential decision, as did the sub-branch’s president, Stephen Walton.

Councillors Deborah Novak and Karen Toms did not vote on the final resolution.

“During closed session Cr Toms was excused from the meeting at 6.25pm and Cr Novak excused herself at 6.38 pm,” the meeting’s minutes state.

“They were not present for the remainder of the meeting.”