Agenda item

The Council considered a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding a recommendation of the Constitution Working Group in relation to questions that could be raised at Full Council meetings (for copy see file of Minutes).

In Moving the report, Councillor Henig informed the Council that methods of public interaction had changed since the introduction of the current public questions procedure, with increased options for public participation through the 14 Area Action Partnerships.  It was proposed that issues raised at AAP’s could be raised at County Council meetings in the future, similar to the system which had operated at Cabinet meetings for some time.  The facility for public questions would remain but, to ensure that all Council business was transacted at a meeting, a time restriction of 10 minutes for public questions would be placed upon them.  To ensure as many people as possible had the opportunity to raise questions it was also proposed that questions be limited to one per person.

In Seconding the report, Councillor B Stephens, Cabinet Portfolio for Neighbourhoods and Local Partnerships informed the Council that meetings of Cabinet were held at various locations around the County and presented opportunity for questions from AAP’s and from the public.  This proposal would allow for questions to be asked from AAP’s in full Council.

Councillor A Hopgood informed the Council that she opposed a time restriction being placed on public questions.  The proposed time restriction was based upon one or two incidents of lengthy questions over the last six years and it was an excessive reaction to these.  While it was a daunting prospect for members of the public to ask questions at Council, some questioners wanted all Members to hear their question.  Not all Councillors were representatives on AAP’s and public questions was the one opportunity to address full Council.  Councillor Hopgood Moved an amendment to the proposals that the time limit for public questions be removed.

In Seconding the amendment Councillor O Temple informed the Council that the imposition of a time restriction on public questions was an unnecessary overreaction.

Upon a vote being taken the amendment was Lost.

Upon a vote being taken it was

Resolved:

(i)                        That the draft amended Rules of Procedure at Appendix 3 be approved;

(ii)                       That the draft protocol at Appendix 4 be approved and be included in the Constitution at the May Annual General Meeting