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When was the last review of the Standing Orders that refer to public questions? Do they still have to be submitted to the Guildhall ? Can they be sent via email?
@PhilWynn 18838 wrote:
Wxm – you make an interesting point. Not everyone can or would want to make it along to a Council meeting for possibly one agenda item of interest, hence a pre lodged public question in Scrutiny would help towards getting residents to engage in their Council’s business.
You could always ask your local member to raise a question on your behalf in the meantime or come along in person.
Council’s procedures were designed (a lot of reference is made to a 1972 Act?) when we were all readily available in our communities … people would visit or be milling around town on a regular basis. Today, we all commute and travel, and have many more demands out of work hours. Many of us have also made contact with local members and staff, and there is a distinct feeling in teh area that the Council at all levels does not truly engage. The introduction of “Cabinet” or Executive Board seems to have confused this by introducing another layer of governance and/or management. While all this goes on, other counties can make progress in front of Wrexham. The appearance today is about process, rather than things that mean something to people. All council members, and the public, need to be more readily engaged in driving a positive agenda for Wrexham, and seeing debate bring real tangible benefits.
The 1972 Act does not stipulate the structure that a Council needs for it to operate hence the reason other Counties operate on a different level and have a more inclusive approach to the role of ALL Councilors. Perhaps Wrexham needs to look over it;s shoulder and see how other Counties that are performing with higher standards across most service areas are actually structured.
Perpetuating an ineffective system to ensure a few Councilors can wield power is a disgrace and certainly does not bode well for a democratic institution.
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