Council proposes new question time format

If passed, this amendment to the local authority’s constitution would allow the opposition parties to ask any questions or raise concerns they like at Full Council meetings to Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of the Council, and his Lead Members.

This new format would still allow written and subsequent questions to be asked and replied to during meetings of the Full Council. A certain amount of time would then be given to allow for open-ended questions on any topic, similar to ministerial question time in the House of Commons.

Cllr Giles-Medhurst said: “Open transparency, scrutiny, and robust debate is what drives a healthy democracy and good governance. As I have said previously, I always want to work with everyone – including the opposition – to better our wonderful district and communities.

“Whilst these changes limit the number of questions that members can ask, we are dramatically expanding the scope of topics on which they can question Lead Members. We are doing this to create a robust exchange of ideas and ensure members have the opportunity to fully scurtinise all our decisions and actions.”

The constitutional amendment is subject to being passed at Full Council. Each party is limited to two questions on a topic.