Issue - meetings

Report of the Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

The Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report proposing changes to procedures in council meetings whilst restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic continue. 

The report proposed that for Planning Committee 3 members of the public for an application and 3 people against who register in advance are allowed to speak for up to 4 minutes each.  A similar approach was proposed for Licensing Committee.  For all other committees, including Full Council, the public would not have the right to speak.  Committee Member views were sought on the approach to be taken with regards the participation of councillors not on committee.

Committee Members raised the following comments/queries with regards the report:

„  Clarification was provided that the proposed changes were a temporary measure and would be kept under review until the Government’s regulations came to an end in May 2021.

„  There was general support for Members not on committee being able to participate in meetings with advance notice so that arrangements can be made.

RESOLVED:  (Unanimously)

1.    That the proposals outlined in the report for public participation be approved for submission to Full Council.

2.    The current arrangements for Members not on committee participating in meetings continue, subject to prior notification to Democratic Services.