Romaldkirk Parish Council

Public participation

At each full council meeting there is a 'Public Participation' item on the agenda. This is an allocation of 15 minutes during which any local elector can address the Council.

At this point the Chair will officially close the meeting and ask if there are any points/comments that a member of the public would like to raise. Please note that this is not a question and answer session or a debating time, rather than opportunity to make views known to Council members or to bring forward new ideas which councillors might decide to discuss in the future.

Note that the meeting is in public, and if there are any members of the press in attendance, then any comments made by members of the public may be reported. If possible the Chair will give an immediate response, but the council cannot take a decision on the matter at that point. If the item is already on the agenda, then discussion on the matter and possibly a resolution will take place at that point in the meeting. (In accordance with the Council's Standing Orders no decision can be taken without prior notification on an agenda.)

It is more probable that a member of the public's comments will be noted and passed on to the relevant authority/persons or that councillors agree to place the matter on the agenda of a future meeting.

Procedures at meetings

The Parish Council is governed by comprehensive 'rules' called Standing Orders, which set out everything from the notice which must be given for a meeting, the minimum number of councillors to be present, the maximum duration of each meeting, how motions are proposed, how procurement and financial controls must operate and how confidential matters should be handled.