This one has been ticking away in the background but there have been several hints of what is to come including a recent comment from Devlin that 'some councils don't allow public questions'. The latest hint was RMW's refusal to back calls to have public questions submitted to the council, including reasons for rejection, made available to view on the council's web site. Wells gave the on-going review of the council's constitution as his reason and below we see the constitution mentioned once again in connection with the council's 'Your Say, Our Future' exercise.
So we are looking at the complete banning of public questions at council meetings with the council all set to claim that its Your Say, Our Future venture negates the need for public questions.
"It is proposed that the future development and roll out of the Your Say, Our Future programme is subject to consideration by the Constitution Working Group established by Council last September to consider the issue of community engagement and involvement. The Constitution Working Group has already been involved in early discussion and further dialogue will ensure that the views of Elected Members are reflected in the future approach. It will also ensure that any necessary constitutional changes are relayed back into Council for approval."
https://www.hartlepool.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3451/finance_and_policy_committee
or to put it another way
the gutless shower don't like being asked a straight question that they can't wriggle out of in front of an audience >:(
When is the next Peer Review due ?
Will...... The Post be opening a 'pinned' Questions Page...... If we can't ask them in council meetings we can always ask them here, who knows, we might well get answers.