Getting Involved At Meetings
The Town Council warmly invites members of the public to attend meetings and contribute within the public forum.
The Town council is a formal body and is the third tier of local government. Members of the public are asked to respect the fact that council meetings are called to conduct council business. The town council is required to complete a number of statutory tasks and because of this participation by the public is bound by a number of rules.
- At Eye Town Council we allow a maximum of 30 minutes when the meeting is closed for the public to ask questions, share their ideas or express their concerns.
- A maximum of 3 minutes is permitted per member of the public. Due to this time restriction it is important to prepare carefully before the meeting.
- Please stand and give you name before speaking
- You can choose to talk about any subject however if the matter you raise does not relate to topics on the agenda the council is not allowed to make any decisions and it is likely discussion will be deferred to a later date.
- No question or comment may be repeated within a 6 month period.
- When contributing at the meeting you should address the Mayor or Chairperson. The Mayor/Chairperson manages the meeting and can use some discretion about how the meeting is run. Councillors should be treated with respect as they are volunteers who give up their time to make Eye a better place to live.
- Any disrespectful behaviour will be challenged and you may be asked to leave if, in the opinion of the Mayor/Chairperson, you are disrupting the orderly conduct of the meeting.
- Once the meeting has started you are welcome to stay but interruptions to council business from the public are not permitted.
- Written questions received in advance of the meeting are encouraged but not essential: if provided in advance, this will make it easier for an answer to be prepared
Other Ways to Ask Questions
Members of the public should be aware that rather than bringing concerns directly to the council questions may also be addressed, during business hours, to the council via the Clerk. The Clerk can advise you on the best way to access the Council.
Mobile phones must be switched off during council meetings
A full copy of the Protocol for Public Participation can be accessed below.