Issue - meetings

Questions by the Public

 

 

Meeting: 30/01/2012 - City Council (Item 100)

QUESTIONS BY THE PUBLIC

To receive questions from and provide answers to the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, are about something the Council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the city, in accordance with Part B, paragraph 11 of the Constitution.

 

Questions, of no longer than 50 words, can be submitted to the Democratic Support Unit, Corporate Services Department, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth, PL1 2AA, or email to democraticsupport@plymouth.gov.uk. Any questions must be received at least five complete working days before the meeting.

Minutes:

Two questions had been received from members of the public in relation to matters which, in the opinion of the Lord Mayor, were relevant to the business of the meeting, in accordance with paragraph 10 of the Constitution.

 

Question No

 

Question By

Relevant Cabinet Member

 

Subject

8 (11/12)

Mr B Kerr

CouncillorMrs Pengelly, Leader

 

Prayers

Is the council going to continue to have prayers during scheduled times for council meetings? This is asked as many people would see this as an exclusionary practice against people of different faiths and no faith, and paints the city as backward in a modern world

 

Response:

There is no constitutional requirement for the council to have prayers prior to the commencement of the formal council meeting, but it is the practice of Lord Mayors to have their chaplain in attendance to say them. There is no reason why a future Lord Mayor might choose not to have prayers at the meeting, although I would expect that such a decision would be considered by the council as a whole.

 

Since the prayers are not part of the formal meeting then neither councillors nor the public need be present (and some already choose not to attend) consequently no one is excluded from the meeting.

                                                                                                 

 

 

Question No

 

Question By

Relevant Cabinet Member

 

Subject

9 (11/12)

Mr F Sharpe

Councillor Fry, Cabinet Member for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Development.

 

Sherford development

Please could residents of Elburton and Plymstock be given a presentation by Plymouth City Council before Sherford comes before the Council in February 2012 plus details of what South Hams Council has passed regarding Sherford.

 

Response:

 

Yes, planning officers will give a presentation to the next available meeting of the Elburton and District Residents Association prior to the Sherford planning application being reported back to Planning Committee on 8th March 2012.

                                                                                          

 

In the absence of the questioners, the questions and responses were circulated and written responses would be sent to Mr Kerr and Mr Sharpe.