On the 8th December 2009 -- the Council resolved to agree procedural rules

which relate to Public Question Time.  These are as follows:

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

qThe objective of Question Time is to give the public a chance to ask the council about

 issues that concern them. There can be no debate during the meeting on issues raised.

qQuestions may be taken from the floor or submitted in advance to the Council Offices

 by letter or email no later than the last working day before the date of the meeting.

Written questions will be read out and answered with other correspondence.

qQuestioners must give their names and addresses, and no more than two questions

may be submitted by the same person or on behalf of the same organisation in a single

meeting.

qA question may be rejected if it is not about a matter for which the council has a

responsibility or which affects the town, is defamatory, offensive or frivolous, or requires

disclosure of confidential information. On this the chairman’s decision is final.

qA questioner may also ask a supplementary question which must arise directly out of

the original question or the reply. The chairman may reject a supplementary question if

s/he considers it inappropriate.

qIf a question touches on a matter contained in an agenda item later in that meeting, the

chairman may rule that it be deferred until that item is reached.

qIf it is not possible to answer a question at the meeting, a written reply will be given

within five working days.

qAny questions that cannot be dealt with at public question time because of lack of time

will be answered in writing. There must be no discussion at the meeting of questions

raised but any matter raised by a question may be referred to the council or an

appropriate committee.