To consider the following Motion deferred from the Council meeting held on 23 March 2016:

This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·        A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·        A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·        Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·        Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·        Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.

Further to Minute No. 83 of the meeting held on 23 March 2016, it was moved and seconded that:

“This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·              A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·              A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·              Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·              Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·              Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.”

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·        A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·        A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·        Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·        Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·        Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council believes that it is crucially important that all the residents of Trafford play a full part in the democracy of Local Government and the decision making process.

Council further notes that in many other Local Authorities across the country, such as Cheshire East, the active participation of residents is encouraged by allowing them to speak at full Council and other designated meetings.

It is therefore proposed that this right is extended to Trafford citizens, based on certain agreed principles and conditions. These are broadly based on the Cheshire East model, which enables members of the public to make statements and ask questions at Council meetings, excluding Planning, Licencing and Scrutiny.

Under these guidelines:

·              A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to speak at Council meetings.

·              A total period of 10 minutes will be allocated for members of the public to speak at meetings of the Executive, committees and sub-committees.

·              Members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the work of the Council.

·              Members of the public will normally be allowed up to 5 minutes each to speak, but the Mayor or Chair will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

·              Where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of an Executive member, or of the Chair of a committee or sub-committee, at least 3 clear working days’ notice must be given in writing to Democratic Services, in order that an informed answer may be given.

Council are therefore asked to agree these broad proposals, and ask Officers to set up procedures in the near future for the implementation of this initiative, which will encourage active public participation.”

RESOLVED: That, as the Motion seeks to amend the Council Rules of Procedure, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.2, the Motion stand adjourned without discussion to the next ordinary meeting of the Council.