Let the public speak at council meetings

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Jul 2008

Liberal Democrats at Essex County Council have put forward plans for members of the public to take part in open council meetings at county hall. A motion submitted by the group, proposes a 'public questions' spot at meetings of the full council, where any member of the public can put a question directly to the administration.

Speaking about the idea, Cllr Tom Smith-Hughes, Liberal Democrats group leader said: "It is about time that local residents and taxpayers were given an opportunity to take an active role in how their council works, what their council tax is used for and why decisions are made. It is not enough to talk the localism talk, residents must be included in the democratic process in a real and meaningful way.

"As Liberal Democrats, we are fundamentally committed to sharing decision making powers with members of the community and that must start with a formal and permanent place for the public at open council meetings, similar to other authorities. In addition, we are also calling for an investigation to be carried out into further and innovative ways of opening up the council's meetings and processes to the public."

The motion will be debated at the next meeting of the full council on 15 July 2008.

ENDS