Agenda item

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

There was one question submitted to the Leader of the Council by Mr Peter Bell:

“Would the Leader of the Council commit to examining how the Council could better support the public to be involved in the democratic processes and procedures of the Council with particular emphasis on encouraging those with disabilities, whether hidden or visible, and members of the public from minority groups, become more involved in the opportunities open to the public to participate, and to consider whether a specific budget allocation and staffing resource ought to be identified for this work?”

Mr Bell went onto highlight areas where he felt processes had not been followed by the Council, or where he had identified areas of concern:

·       Information had been refused on street naming and numbering following a Freedom of Information request.

·       Information had been refused on highways maintenance following a Freedom of Information request

·       Extensions to Public Space Protection Orders had not been made legally.

·       A consultation on the Animal Welfare Licensing Policy had received a number of responses as part of public consultation which had not resulted in any changes to the Policy when put before the relevant Committee

·       There had been a delay in the publication of minutes of a UK Shared Prosperity Fund Board meeting.

·       An item on Cyber Security had been noted in open session at a meeting of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee, even though the report was exempt from publication and the press and public were not excluded from the meeting

·       The quality of Equality Impact Assessments accompanying reports

·       Access to the Council Chamber for wheelchair users.

In responding, the Leader of the Council welcomed the conversation on openness and transparency as it had been a topic he had led on since becoming a Councillor. A welcome addition to the Council in recent years had been the installation of the webcasting system which allowed for public meetings to be broadcasted on the internet; however this system was restricted to the Council Chamber, so any meetings outside of that room could not be recorded in the same way.

Informal Cabinet meetings were being held around the District, in order to reach as many different parts of the area as possible and to enable members of the public to have easier access to their elected members.

The Council should be following good practice in terms of access for those with disabilities. In addition, equality and inclusivity were core values of the Council; whilst alternative means of communicating with the Council existed, more could be done to reach those from different cultures, ages and backgrounds.

There was more information that could be put into the public domain whilst being mindful of obligations to protect individuals and commercially sensitive information. The Leader reminded those watching the meeting live that Ward Councillors were a useful first port of call for members of the public if further information was required on any topic within the Council’s remit.

A motion without notice was proposed requesting that the Governance and Audit Committee establish an Access to Information Working Group.

Following a short debate, and having been moved and seconded, it was AGREED:

DECISION

That Full Council request the Governance and Audit Committee establish an Access to Information Working Group.