Colchester Council planning 'have your say' meeting changes

Colchester Council is looking to make changes to the “have your say” section of its public meetings, where members of the public can put questions to the city’s politicians.

Members of the public do not have a legal right to address councillors but the authority currently allows 15 minutes in each meeting for the public to ask questions, which can be extended at the discretion of the chairman of the meeting.

But Colchester Council says “there has been a trend in some recent meetings for the general have your say session to extend way beyond” the standard 15 minutes.

A council document states at a budget setting meeting in February, 16 members of the public spoke, which meant councillors couldn’t start considering the budget until 90 minutes into the meeting.

What could change?

Councillors will consider the proposed changes to the Q&A section at a meeting next Wednesday.

The changes include a shift away from a time-based system, instead allowing no more than eight slots for public speakers at each meeting.

Speakers could also be forced to pre-register before noon on the working day before the meeting with an indication of the subject they’d like to discuss.

Sir Bob Russell, the High Steward of Colchester, regularly speaks at council meetings and has accused senior councillors of lacking confidence in their roles.

Passionate - Sir Bob Russell (Image: Seana Hughes)

The former MP said: “This is an indication the leader of the council in particular and cabinet members in general don’t have the confidence in their portfolios to answer questions in a public arena if they need to have questions a day in advance so they can work on their replies with officers.

“It’s a form of gagging, not a total gagging, but this is not what I expect from any local council and I certainly don’t accept it from a council which is run by the Liberal Democrats.”

The council also wants to reverse a decision made in 2017 to give speakers the right to reply after their question is answered.

Planning and environmental campaigner Rosie Pearson has raised several issues at council meetings and feels “the council shouldn’t always get the last word”.

Campaigner - Rosie Pearson

She said: “When they introduced the right of reply it was brilliant. Previously you’d speak into a vacuum and they could say what they wanted and you’d be chomping at the bit to respond and you couldn’t.

“For a member of the public it’s already intimidating enough without all the rules and if you have something to say about your council you should be able to say it.”

What does the council say?

Colchester Council has defended the proposed changes and insists it is committed to being “one of the most liberal and open councils in the country”.

The number of people wishing to speak in “have your say” sessions has grown “significantly” in the past year, it said, adding the proposed pre-registration process is common among other councils and will ensure a “wider range of voices are heard”.

A spokesman for the authority said the review of public participation at council meetings is part of a wider review of its governance arrangements to make sure the council is fit for the future and able to conduct efficient business at its meetings.

A statement added: “Knowing the topics in advance will enable councillors and officers to prepare more focused responses, potentially within the meeting itself, leading to a more productive exchange of information.

“The proposals for changes to ‘have your say’ were developed through discussions with all group leaders and therefore enjoy cross-party support. These proposed changes are also in line with practices implemented by other councils.

“Residents can still submit questions beforehand or contact their local councillor to raise concerns. We will continue to review the ‘have your say’ scheme to ensure it remains effective.”