Mid and East Antrim Council expands public question time with remote access option
- Michelle Weir (Local Democracy Reporter)
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Mid and East Antrim councillors have approved an updated protocol for the public to ask questions at meetings of the borough council.
The community has been able to submit questions ahead of meetings since last April.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council was the first district council in Northern Ireland to introduce this facility. Questions can be submitted up to five working days ahead of full council meetings with 15 minutes set aside to answer queries.
A report presented to councillors indicated that during the first month, 24 questions were submitted and 16 were answered; six were submitted in May 2024 with two answered; last June, one was submitted and answered; none submitted in July; one was submitted last September but not answered; none submitted in October; two submitted in November but one answered; none in January or February; one was submitted in March but not answered.
The report explained that questions will not be permitted if they are not relevant to a matter for which the council has responsibility; it is “illegal, improper; irregular; frivolous or offensive; if the reply would disclose confidential information; relates to planning law or a licensing application; relates to a matter for which a response has been given under the council’s complaints procedure; is personal or unintelligible”.
The questions will be put to the council in the order they are received and those not answered within the time slot will be dealt with by a written answer.
Questions can be asked at a meeting in person and new protocol will allow the questioner to join the meeting by remote access.
Speaking at last week’s meeting of the council, Knockagh Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner proposed accepting the new protocol.
He said: “I particularly welcome remote access being included. It is something we talked about from the very start, so I am really glad to see that. I think it will make it much easier for people to engage and take part in it.
“I would also like to say that we would like to see this move further and I would like to see an opportunity for members of the public to address council as well as ask questions as we move forward.”
Seconding the proposal, Knockagh DUP Cllr Peter Johnston stated:
“Whilst it looks like we have a drop off in numbers, I think we can take reassurance in the fact that we are all doing a great job and the public are relatively happy and don’t have any questions to ask at the minute, so we can take that as a pat on the back.”
The Mayor, Alderman William McCaughey, quipped:
“That is a very positive outlook, Cllr Johnston. Thank-you very much for that.”