The disclosure follows a months-long FOI process initiated by Ulster Unionist Party councillor Mark Ovens, who sought details of confidentiality agreements entered into by the Council since 2022. One of those agreements was in the financial year 2026/27 and cost the Council between £20,001 and £40,000. The review also found the Council's original response had relied on the wrong legal exemption and contained contradictions. He said: "Many people will find it deeply concerning that the local Council has used confidentiality agreements with staff and that ratepayers' money has been used in connection with those agreements. That review found that the original response was contradictory, relied on the wrong legal exemption and could not be upheld.