For many years, members of the public have been able to attend meetings of this and other Councils to listen to the debates. In addition, they have been able to make representations either through elected Councillors or Council employees. However, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council believes that Local Government should be as open and accessible as possible.  As part of its aim to achieve this objective, the Council has introduced a scheme which enables its customers to ask questions and/or make statements at meetings of Overview and Scrutiny Committees, on matters relating to Council business or local concern.

 

Questions can be asked and statements made irrespective of whether the matters in question are on the agenda for the meeting.  However, the items raised should relate to matters of policy or principle, rather than to private or personal issues.  If you have a personal question and you either have been unable to get an answer from the relevant Council Service Section or else you are not happy with the answer provided, you are encouraged to make a formal complaint or contact your Local Councillor with the details.  Information leaflets about the Council's formal complaint procedure are available from the Council's main offices, and Local Councillors' contact details may be found on this website. 

 

Advance notice need not be given of questions and statements, but a full answer is not guaranteed.  However, priority will be given to questions and statements of which advance notice has been given.  Provided five clear days' written notice is given (excluding Saturdays and Sundays and the day of the meeting), an answer will be guaranteed to a question – either orally at the meeting, or in writing within 5 days after the meeting (if time does not allow an oral answer to be given).  A list of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee dates can be viewed by clicking here.

You will need to submit a Question Request Form in order to submit a question to an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To help meetings run smoothly and enable as many people as possible to participate, the following rules will govern the period in which questions and statements can be put.  These are set out as follows:

 

(1)  Question and statement time will be limited to the ordinary meetings of Committees as listed.

 

(2)  A maximum period of 15 minutes will be set aside for all questions/answers and statements at the start of each Committee meeting.  The Chairman may at his/her discretion extend that time for the purpose of answering the last question put before the expiration of the 15 minutes.

 

(3)  Questions which do not receive a response through lack of time will be given a written reply.

 

(4)  If the number of questions and statements involved appear likely to exceed the time available, the Chairman will decide the order in which the questions and statements can be taken and who will be permitted to speak.  However, priority will be given to questions and statements of which notice has been given in advance of the day of the meeting.

 

(5)  Every question (statement) shall be put and answered without discussion although the Chairman may permit the Questioner to ask a supplementary question.  The Chairman will decide who answers the questions or otherwise makes comments on behalf of the Committee.

 

(6)  The Chairman will have the right to stop persons from speaking at any time if he/she considers the questions and/or statement to be defamatory, improper or outside the duties and responsibilities of the Committee.  The Chairman will also have discretion in handling the question/statement period and his/her discretion will be final on all matters.

 

(7)  If you want to ask a question and/or make a statement, you must attend the relevant meeting and arrive at least 10 minutes before the starting time, so that the Chairman knows you are present and ready to ask your question or make your statement.

 

Please make yourself known to the Chairman or one of the Officers.

 

(8)  You need not give notice of your question and/or statement in advance of the date of the meeting, but you must complete a Question Request Form and hand it to the Chairman or a member of staff immediately prior to the start of the meeting.  It is important to include your name and address on the form in case it is necessary to send you a written reply.

 

(9)  Groups of residents or members of organisations should nominate a representative to present the views of the group/organisation.

 

(10)  Questions/statements cannot be asked/made in respect of: