The Full Council meeting of the District Council on July 27th is going to be interesting. We’re calling it “Democracy night”, because the non-Conservative councillors are making an effort to force discussion on some important issues. We want some answers -and want some changes in council policy.
If you’ve ever wanted to see what a council meeting is like, this would be a good one to come along to.
Unlike most of the Full Council meetings of the past year, when things are rubber stamped within about 30 minutes, there’s going to be some interesting discussions.
First of all, as a kind of warm-up , there’s three questions submitted in advance by Chris Black:
1. “There has been a recent High Court ruling that Tower Hamlets Council acted unlawfully when it granted planning permission for a fast food takeaway because councillors had voted in favour of permission after being wrongly directed that they could not take account of the proximity of the local secondary school.
How is this likely to affect planning policy in Rochford District and does it have any repercussions on the recent planning consent for commercial units in Priory Chase , Rayleigh, near St Nicholas School? ”
2. “Can you please give an update on how the Liberal Conservative Coalition Government’s new policies are impacting on our Local Development Framework ?
In particular, will this council be changing the proposed housing figures established under the previous Labour government? If we reduce the overall housing figures for our district – something that most residents that I represent are hoping for- how can we best ensure that the housing that is built provides the affordable homes that local people need?
3. “Does the council keep any record of emails sent to members via the rochford.gov.uk email addresses that we are given?”
Secondly, the Liberal Democrats have forced a debate on car parking issues. . Back in the spring, the council’s Review Committee (chaired by Lib Dem June Lumley) suggested some changes to car parking. You can download the full report here, but some of their important proposals are:
Unfortunately, this report has to be approved by the “Portfolio Holder” for Transport. He’s okayed the cut in charges at the Approach, wants to consult ward councillors on residents parking schemes every two years, and has vetoed a cheap 30-minute band or a 6 pm finish to charging. You can read his report here.
We’re not happy with Cllr Hudson’s ruling – so we’ve used our powers under the council constitution to bring the whole item to full council. We may be outvoted by the Conservative block vote, but we will have a go.
Next, there’s a motion from the Lib Dems about the council’s “Cabinet System”. It’s a system that our Conservative council brought in because the Labour government wanted it. The way that the car parking issue is being dealt with is a good example of why it’s undemocratic – a cross-party group of councillors can spend months working on an issue, and then see their decisions blocked by one person.. Other councils have a cabinet system, but not in such a stark , authoritarian way as in Rochford. Anyway, we wanted to point out to the poor, squelched Tory backbenchers that the coalition government will allow councils to go back to a more democratic committee system:
“That this council welcomes the statement by the Liberal Conservative Coalition Government that they will allow councils to return to the committee system, should they wish to.”
Will any of the Tory back benchers speak out in public against the Cabinet system?
Finally, there’s a very interesting motion from Green Party councillor Michael Hoy and Hawkwell councillor John Mason. They can expect some Lib Dem support: It’s basically about cutting back on housing numbers:
?Pursuant to the Parliamentary Statement made by The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 6 July 2010, this Council agrees to carry out a housing needs study for Rochford District and adjust the housing allocations proposed in the Core Strategy to satisfy the minimum needs of our community.?
And you can join in as well, because the public can ask questions too. (Though the council website doesn’t publicise it very much).
You have to send your question to paul.warren@rochford.gov.uk and COMMITTEE@rochford.gov.uk by noon on July 20th.
You can ask it about something big (e.g. “when are we going to get a primary care centre in Rayleigh”) or something smaller (e.g.”when is my street going to be swept”)
If you want more information about asking questions, please let us know.
The detailed rules are as follows:
10.1 General
Members of the public may ask questions of Members of the Executive, at ordinary meetings of the Council. The maximum time limit for asking each question is 3 minutes. The maximum time limit for a supplementary question is 1 minute.
10.2 Order of Questions
Questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received, except that the Chairman may group together similar questions.
10.3 Notice of Questions
A question may only be asked if notice has been given by delivering it in writing or by electronic mail to the Chief Executive no later than midday 7 days before the day of the meeting. Each question must give the name and address of the questioner and must name the Member of the Council to whom it is to be put.
10.4 Number of Questions
At any one meeting no person may submit more than 2 questions and no more than 2 such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation.
10.5 Scope of Questions
The Chief Executive may reject a question if it:-
?is not about a matter for which the local authority has a responsibility or which affects the district;
?is defamatory, frivolous or offensive;
?is substantially the same as a question which has been put at a meeting of the Council in the past six months; or
?requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information.
10.6 Record of Questions
The Chief Executive will enter each question in a book open to public inspection and will immediately send a copy of the question to the Member to whom it is to be put. Rejected questions will include reasons for rejection.
Copies of all questions will be circulated to all Members and will be made available to the public attending the meeting.
10.7 Asking the Question at the Meeting
The Chairman will invite the questioner to put the question to the Member named in the notice. If a questioner who has submitted a written question is unable to be present, they may ask the Chairman to put the question on their behalf. The Chairman may ask the question on the questioner?s behalf, indicate that a written reply will be given or decide, in the absence of the questioner, that the question will not be dealt with.
10.8 Supplemental Question
A questioner who has put a question in person may also put one supplementary question without notice to the Member who has replied to his or her original question. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply. The Chairman may reject a supplementary question on any of the grounds in Rule 10.5 above.
10.9 Written Answers
Any question which cannot be dealt with during public question time, either because of lack of time or because of the non-attendance of the Member to whom it was to be put, will be dealt with by a written answer.
10.10 Reference of Question to the Executive or a Committee
Unless the Chairman decides otherwise, no discussion will take place on any question, but any Member may move that a matter raised by a question be referred to the Executive or the appropriate Committee or Sub-Committee. Once seconded, such a Motion will be voted on without discussion.