Public can ask questions

Montgomeryshire residents will be able to ask questions in a full county council meeting in January as part of a ground-breaking trial.

Earlier this year Powys County Council backed a proposal to let members of the public ask a question at a meeting of the full council as a trial with the first opportunity to take place on January 26, 2017 with a new item added to the agenda.

A question can be asked by anyone, other than a member of council, who lives, works or studies in Powys – anyone under 18 will have to have the consent of a parent or guardian to attend the webcast meeting – and questions can only be directed to a cabinet member or chair of committees.

Questions cannot be asked of the chairs of the Planning, Taxi, Licensing and Rights of Way Committee and the Licensing Committee because they are regulatory committees.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Barry Thomas said; “This is a ground-breaking trial for the county council with members of the public being allowed to ask questions for the first time ever. Residents have been able to speak at planning meetings for some time but that was restricted to specific applications.

“The trial will allow participants to submit one question on any subject that relates to service provided by the county council or on behalf of the county council. The Chairman of the Council will have the final say on whether or not a question is accepted.

“A maximum of four question will be considered by the council at a meeting, which will be answered by the relevant member but the answer will not be open for discussion or debate.  The person asking the question will be allowed to ask one supplementary question at the meeting.

“Potential questions have to be submitted to the council by 5pm on January 11 and those who are successful will be told well in advance that their question is included on the agenda on the meeting on January 26. Questions can be submitted in English or Welsh.

“Powys has long been committed to open, transparent democracy with meetings webcast for public scrutiny, the new public participation trial will only add to that commitment and marks an exciting new initiative for the county,” he added.

Full details about the public participation scheme can be found on the council’s websitewww.powys.gov.uk , by emailing publicquestions@powys.gov.uk or by writing to Public Participation Scheme, Solicitor to the Council, County Hall, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 5LG.