Added: 24/05/2008

Category: Suffolk County Council

Councillors voted yesterday in favour of exploring more ways to allow members of the public to ask questions relating to the business of Suffolk County Council.

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Jane Storey, said: "We believe in being accountable and transparent. We have already opened up the council's process to the public and opposition groups. For example local members and opposition councillors now regularly attend Cabinet, and we have introduced public petitions to full council and opened up the scrutiny process. "

The council resolved to ask a Constitution Working Party to investigate ways of improving this further by setting out a possible procedure for allowing members of the public to ask questions relating to the business of the Council. The Working Party is also being asked to explore the potential of further, innovative ways of opening up the council's meetings and processes to the public. The Working Party will be asked to present its proposals at September's meeting of the full council.