Issue - meetings

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the meeting. Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

The Council’s Constitution provided for public speaking at its meetings.  In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos 11 and 35, a total period of 10 minutes was allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matters relevant to its work. 

As this was the inaugural ‘scene setting’ meeting of the Committee and in the absence of a Chairman, the public speaking provision had not been included on this occasion.  Nevertheless, the Committee considered that the public should still be afforded the opportunity to speak and the Chairman invited members of the public, who were present at the meeting, to address the Committee.   

Mrs Kay spoke briefly, seeking reassurance that the work of the Committee would be conducted in an open and transparent manner.