Inquest on Panoramic will quiz MP

Rother deputy chairman and former Conservative Rother cabinet member Cllr Martin Kenward wants the officers responsible, from the chief executive downwards, together with supporters to face councillors' questions.

But though some of the debate will be in public, some is likely to be behind closed doors because artists' fees will be discussed.

Panoramic lost 48,328 - 96 for each of the 1,255 attending the three-night sound, light and architecture event.

Members of the district services scrutiny committee voted on Monday in support a move by Cllr Kenward (Conservative, St Michael's) to defer their planned examination of the event.

Now a special meeting of the committee on .... will be attended by four officers.

They are:

r Chief executive Derek Stevens

r Community services director Tony Leonard

r Chief finance officer Dr Pav Ramewal

r De La Warr Pavilion project manager Alan Haydon

The committee also agreed to invite Conservative MP Gregory Barker, Southern Arts and Bexhill Regeneration Partnership's town centre and tourism action group.

Asked after Monday's meeting what his aim was, Cllr Kenward said: "I would like to thrash out all the details of what went on.

"What if the finances went wrong if we went ahead with it in the future?

"If we do go ahead with it again, what lessons are there to be learned from the scrutiny process?"

Gregory Barker told the Observer the following day: "I would be delighted to go along if they want me to answer questions."

Town centre and tourism action group chairman Steve Ayres said: "Fine! It's public money. We were asked to support an event which did in the former of under-writing because it was an event for the town and that is what we are about - regeneration.

"If someone wishes us to attend a meeting and explain we will be only too delighted."