Ask questions at public meetings

Anyone can ask a public question at an ordinary meeting of Full Council and the Joint Transportation Board.

1.   Ordinary Meeting of full Council

A member of the public may ask a question of the:

Leader; or

Executive Cabinet Members;

• The question and answer session is limited to half an hour. In addition to Leader or Cabinet Member responding, the Leader of the Opposition and the other Group Leaders will also have an opportunity to respond to the question.

• A question may only be asked if notice has been given by delivering it in writing or by electronic mail to the Head of Democratic Services no later than close of the office one clear working day before the day of the meeting (Monday before a Wednesday meeting). Each question must give the name and address of the questioner and must name the Member of the Council to whom it is to be put.

• At any one meeting no person may submit more than one question.

If you would like to submit a question to Council, please email committeeservices@maidstone.gov.uk no later than close of the office one clear working day before the day of the Council meeting. See also future meeting dates of council.

2.   Maidstone Joint Transportation Board

At meetings of the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board the public may ask questions/make statements regarding any transport issue or an item on the Agenda. The number of speakers is limited to 10 per meeting for a period of 3 minutes each and must register to speak by 3 p.m. on the day of the relevant meeting. Details of how to register will be found on the Agenda.

Planning Committee

Public speakers are allowed at Planning Committee, however only in relation to a planning application being considered at the meeting and each speaker must register to speak by 4 p.m. on the working day before the relevant meeting. Each speaker has a time limit of 3 minutes. For full details regarding speaking at Planning Committee please go to page 109 of the Council’s Constitution.