Public Participation at Full Council Virtual Meetings
Parish Council meetings move online
What is a full council meeting
It is a public meeting and not a meeting of the public.
Who can attend
All Full Council meetings are open meetings, members of the public and press are able to attend.
Confidential Items
The public and press must leave when the meeting is going into confidential session to discuss items on a seperate confidential agenda, unless permitted (invited) to do so by Council (the Chairman).
How to attend
Register and include any questions or comments you have at least 48 hours before the start time, email glpc@great-linford.gov.uk or click here. Please ensure you list:
Your name
Your email / phone contact details,
Your question or comments you wish to make and the agenda item it relates to OR
That you wish simply to observe
The meeting date you wish to attend - click here for details
Once registered you will receive the joining instructions for the meeting.
Virtual meeting access
Great Linford Parish Council will be using the Zoom video conferencing system during Covid-19 Crisis. This system is simple for members of the public to access, as well as participants.
Recording of Council Meetings
Government regulations allow members of the public and press to record public meetings of the Council.
Coronavirus (covid-19) guidelines for online Zoom meetings: there are no restrictions on video or audio recording, as only active participants in the meeting can be seen and heard by members of the public. However, in terms of usage of any recording there remains the requirement that those who have recorded all or parts of the meeting should not edit their footage in any way that could lead to misinterpretation of the proceedings.
Addressing Council
Councillors can be heard but only seen when they wish to raise a question. Members of the public will be muted, and have their video setting turned off, unless they are asked to participate by the Chairman, for example to ask a previously submitted question.
Submitting Questions The follow proceedures apply to questions from Councillors as well as questions from members of the public
What is the deadline for questions
Questions and comments must be submitted 48 hours prior to the meeting. A 15 minute period (which can in special circumstances be increased, if Councillors agree) will be provided at all Council meetings to put relevant questions about agenda items. A similar 15 minute period is allocated for questions from Councillors.
How many questions can be addressed
A maximum of two questions may be asked at any meeting with no extra issues / questions raised within them, and initial questions will be asked in the order that they are received, followed by second questions if time allows.
How long do you get
There will be a maximum of 3 minutes per question for them to be asked. The number of questions taken will be determined by the Chair and the amount of time available. An answer will be provided where possible but may have to be deferred until a later point if necessary, to provide a full answer.
There's a group of you attending together
If a delegation wishes to meet the Council, they should appoint a spokesperson prior to the meeting.
If your question is accepted
Further copies will be made available to the public and press at the meeting and you will be invited to put your question to the Council. You will then receive a verbal answer or informed of a written response to be provided subsequently where this is more appropriate. Once answered you may put a supplementary question to Council for clarification provided it is directly out of the original question or answer.
You may need to rephase a question
It is expected that questions will be asked in a reasonable and polite manner. Where questions contain elements that are considered by the Parish Clerk to be unacceptable then you will be informed of this fact and asked to provide an acceptable version of the question in writing no later than 24 hours before the scheduled start time of the relevant Council or Committee meeting.
Raising a question about a subject not on the agenda
Please send your questions or comments to the Chair or Parish Manager, who will arrange to have your comments reviewed and an answer provided as appropriate.
Query about an agenda item but can't attend
Email your query to the Parish Manager who will arrange for a councillor to represent your comments.
