Public Participation at Meetings

September 30th, 2024
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Millom Town Council

Public Participation at Meetings

Adopted: 31^st January 2024

Review Date: January 2027

A Guide for the Public:

1. Purpose of This Guide

The Council’s policy on public participation at meetings is defined in our Standing Orders, but that it is a rather lengthy and formal document. This guide describes how public participation works in a more informal way.

2. Which Meetings Are Open to the Public?

Every meeting of the Council is open to the press and public unless their presence is prejudicial to the public interest because the business to be transacted is confidential or for some other special reasons. The exclusion of the press and public from any part of a meeting has to be agreed by a resolution of the Council, and the reasons for the exclusion must be given.

3. Public Speaking:

While there is no right in law for members of the public to speak at council meetings, the chairman of the meeting may allow the public to speak at his/her discretion. A period for public participation is provided shortly after the beginning of each Council meeting.

4. Procedure:

If you want to speak at a meeting, you must notify the Town/Parish Clerk not later than noon on the Monday preceding the meeting. You should outline the question you will be raising. This allows time for the Clerk to make any necessary enquiries prior to the meeting.
You will be allowed to speak at the discretion of the chair of the meeting.
If you do not want your name to be recorded in the minutes, please inform the chair of the meeting before you start.
More than one question may be asked by an individual questioner subject to the time limit of 5-minutes per speaker.

5. What Are the Rules for Speaking?

The Chair of the meeting will invite you to stand/sit where you can be clearly heard
You can speak for a maximum of 5-minutes unless the Chair of the meeting directs otherwise
The period for public participation is limited to a maximum of 15-minutes unless the Chair of the meeting directs otherwise
The Council may respond to you at the meeting or may write to you at a later date.
No debate will take place during the period for public participation
Councillors may debate any matter you have raised later in the meeting, but only if it is on the agenda.

6. Behaviour

Please do not interrupt speakers or speak during the member’s debate
Please do not hold conversations with other members of the public while the meeting is in progress.
The Chair of the meeting will ask members of the public who become disruptive to leave.

Y10 1111 P (Chair)
Dated: 31^st January 2024

Contact Information

Public Participation at Meetings

Millom Town Council

Public Participation at Meetings

Adopted: 31^st January 2024

Review Date: January 2027

A Guide for the Public:

1. Purpose of This Guide

2. Which Meetings Are Open to the Public?

3. Public Speaking:

4. Procedure:

5. What Are the Rules for Speaking?

6. Behaviour

Important Links

Contact Information

Public Participation at Meetings

Millom Town Council

Public Participation at Meetings

Adopted: 31st January 2024

Review Date: January 2027

A Guide for the Public:

1. Purpose of This Guide

2. Which Meetings Are Open to the Public?

3. Public Speaking:

4. Procedure:

5. What Are the Rules for Speaking?

6. Behaviour

Important Links

Upcoming Meeting Dates

2025

Adopted: 31^st January 2024