COUNCILLORS are to be given a private briefing on the community stadium row between City of York Council and York City Knights boss John Guildford.

But Sarah Tanburn, the official who launched a scathing attack on Mr Guildford last week, will not be present, and the media and public will also be barred from attending.

The authority said the proposed briefing next Wednesday would be open to all members and update them on the position between the authority and the rugby club.

"This will include the discussion of confidential information and therefore will not be open to the public," said a spokeswoman. "The briefing will be conducted by appropriate council officers."

Independent councillor Mark Warters has expressed surprise and concern that Sarah Tanburn - the interim director for city and environmental services, who last week said the authority no longer had confidence in its working relationship with Mr Guildford - would not be attending the meeting and be available for questioning.

He said he understood she was away until January 26 and the briefing would be given by chief executive Kersten England, stadium project officer Tim Atkins and legal officials.

The Osbaldwick councillor also claimed members should have been given such a briefing before being asked to hand another £4 million of taxpayers' money to the stadium project last autumn.

The spokeswoman said Sarah Tanburn was on annual leave and would ‘absolutely expect’ the project team to continue with the project in her absence, briefings included.

She also said councillors were offered briefings prior to the full council meeting that approved the use of the £4 million of public money towards the new leisure complex.

"These were attended by those members who wished to," she said. "The decision to spend this money, as part of the £37 million community stadium and leisure facilities contract, received overwhelming support from council members at full council."