Policies & Procedures

Public participation at meetings

All Parish Council meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. Tetney parishioners also have an opportunity to speak to the Parish Council on matters relating to the parish and are on the meeting agenda.

This opportunity is usually given at the beginning of each meeting of the Council when there will be provision for members of the public to address the meeting. The following procedures will be followed:-

1. Prior to the commencement of the meeting there will be a public forum for a period of 10 minutes when members of the public may ask questions or make short statements on any item on the agenda. Any individual must limit their questions or statements to a maximum of 3 minutes.
2. All questions must be addressed through the Chair. Individual councillors will not respond to questions at this time, however at the discretion of the Chairman, the Parish Clerk may be allowed to address/respond.
3. Where more than two people wish to speak, the individuals will be required to agree who will represent their views, provided that where there are differing views one will be allowed to speak in favour of an issue and one against.
4. In the case of planning applications only one person will be allowed to speak in support and one against an application, each for a maximum of 3 minutes.
5. If you raise or comment on an item which is on the agenda for that meeting, Councillors will then be able to take account of your views when that item is discussed when the meeting is in session, although you will not be able to have any further input yourself.
6. If you raise a matter of public interest which is not on the current meeting agenda, your topic will not be discussed at that council meeting, but the Council may consider including it in a future meeting.
7. The format for the public forum and length of individual representations may be extended at the discretion of the Chair, however the formal Council meeting will start at the stated time on the agenda.
8. After hearing any representations or comments on the agenda items the Chairman will commence the formal meeting. Councillors will not question nor enter into discussion or debate with any member of the public during the formal meeting once it is in session.
9. You can also raise matters of concern at any time with one of your Councillors. In this way, they can act as your voice on the Council and ensure that your views are made known.