Scarborough Council to allow public to ask questions at Full Council meetings

On a trial basis, the authority is set to allow, for the first time, the public to ask questions at its Full Council meeting, the one meeting attended by all members.

The change comes following a review by the cross-party Constitution Review Group chaired by Cllr Tony Randerson (Lab).

On Monday (23rd), Cllr Randerson, in his role as cabinet member for legal, democratic and governance, will approve the change on a trial basis.

Currently, members of the public can ask questions at cabinet meetings or any other committee meetings but not at Full Council.

Cllr Randerson said the change would mirror the set up at North Yorkshire County Council.

He said: “We want this council to be more open and transparent, and people will have their own views on that, but we want to take what the county does and have people able to ask questions.

“We are going to trial it to see how it goes.”

The change will come into effect on the first council meeting of 2020 on January 6.

The rules for asking questions will remain the same with two days’ notice needed if it refers to an item on the agenda or three days if not.