Procedure For Questions
This system relates directly to the organisations commitment and objective to ‘Learn from customers and partners’.
The public question time session is an opportunity at the beginning of each ordinary meeting of the FCHO Local Boards for members of the public to put questions about the organization and about issues in their area.
A few simple rules have been introduced to help the public question time run smoothly and to be of maximum benefit to the public.
1. General
Members of the public may ask questions of the Local Board at meetings. It is usual at most ordinary meetings of the Local Boards to allow a total of 15 minutes for public questions, this will, however, be at the discretion of the Chair.
2. Order of Questions
Questions will be asked in the order of notice of them was received, except that the Lead Officer/Chair may group together similar questions. If sufficient time allows within the public question time forum, at the discretion of the Chair, questions may be taken from attendees without notice to the meeting. However, priority will be given to those questions, which have been received in writing prior to the meeting.
3. Notice of Questions
Written questions to the meeting must be received no later than five clear days prior to the meeting. This will enable us to answer your question(s) as fully as possible.
4. Scope of questions
The Chair of the Board may reject a question if it:
Is not about a matter for which the organization has a responsibility
Is defamatory, frivolous; unlawful; offensive; or otherwise improper
Requires the disclosure of confidential or exempt information
5. Record of Questions
Each question forwarded to the Local Board and the Board’s response will be recorded in the minutes. An attendance list will be circulated at each meeting and all attendees/questioners will receive a copy of the minutes within 15 working days following the meeting.
6. At the Meeting
The Chair will invite the questioner to put the question to the Board. If a questioner who has submitted a question is unable to be present, they may ask the Lead Officer to put the question on their behalf.
At the discretion of the Chair, supplementary questions may be asked but must arise out of the original question or reply.
A copy of your question will be circulated to all Members of the Board and, where possible, will be included in the agenda for the meeting. The question will also be circulated to members of the public attending the meeting.
7. Responses to Questions
In all cases, where possible, your question will be answered at the meeting, but if not, it will be passed to the appropriate Officer for a written response. We will respond to you in writing within 10 working days.
If the matter is the responsibility of another Board/Committee, it will be referred to that Board/Committee to be dealt with.
Whilst a time limit in asking questions and supplementary questions has not been set, we do ask questioners to be mindful that time at meetings is limited and there may well be other members of the public with questions of their own. To make best use of the public question time forum, it is not intended that representations should prompt lengthy debate.
If you need help in completing the enclosed form, in advance of the meeting, please contact our Governance Manager on the details below. 0161 770 1490.
Click here to download this procedure (PDF 30KB)
Click here to download 'Your Right to Speak' (PDF 78KB)
Click here to download the question submission form (RTF 4,73KB)
Contact Details
For more information please contact our Governance Manager on:
Tel: 0161 770 1490
Fax: 0161 770 4606
Email: fcho.governance@oldham.gov.uk