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GUIDANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ASK PUBLIC QUESTIONS AT
MEETINGS OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL, BOARDS AND SUB-BOARDS
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1.0
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INTRODUCTION
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1.1
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The
purpose of this note is to advise members of the public wishing to ask
questions at meetings of the Borough Council and its Boards and the
Sub-Boards on the procedure that should be followed in making such a request
and the rules that apply.
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1.2
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The
Borough Council, its Boards and Sub-Boards want to ensure that those with a
view to express are heard and that their views are taken into account. The
Borough Council will continue to consider written questions, but you may wish
to speak at an appropriate meeting, in which case we have a separate
Deputations Procedure, the link to which is given below:
http://www.gosport.gov.uk/sections/democratic-services/agendas-minutes/regulatory-board/deputations/.
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2.0
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HOW DO
I APPLY?
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2.1
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The
Borough Council, Boards and Sub-Boards
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So far
as meetings of the Borough Council, Boards and Sub-Boards are concerned any
request to attend and ask a question must be made not later that 12 noon two
working days before the meeting.
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Your
request to ask a public question should be made to the Borough Solicitor at the Town Hall, High Street, Gosport, PO12 1EB. Any questions as to
whether or not a public question relates to the functions of the Council, its
Boards or Sub-Boards will be determined by the Borough Solicitor in
consultation with the Mayor and Leader of the Council in respect of Council
Meetings and Borough Solicitor and Chairman in respect of Boards and
Sub-Boards. Any late requests received will be reported to the Council or
Board concerned and they may waive the giving of notice in any case it considers
appropriate.
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3.0
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CAN I ASK
A QUESTION ON ANY MATTER?
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3.1
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The
Borough Council
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You may
request to ask a public question at a meeting of the Borough Council on any
issue provided that the matter relates to a function of the Borough Council.
A total of 15 minutes will be allocated at each Council meeting for public
questions. Public questions will not
be allowed if they relate to Confidential/Exempt items.
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3.2
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Boards
and Sub-Boards
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At
Board and Sub-Board meetings persons may only ask public questions on matters
which relate to the functions of the Board or Sub-Board.
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4.0
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HOW ARE
PUBLIC QUESTIONS PUT?
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4.1
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A public
question shall be put orally to the Chairman and answered orally by the
Chairman or his nominee
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5.0
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WHAT
OTHER RULES APPLY?
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5.1
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No questioner shall ask more than one question or
supplementary question.
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5.2
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Order
of Public Questions at Council and other Board Meetings
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In the
case of the Council and its Boards public questions will be heard, where
possible, at the beginning of the meeting and in the order in which requests
are received by the Borough Solicitor.
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