Public speaking and asking questions at meetings

Public speaking at Planning Committee meetings was approved by full Council in May 2007 and begins on 1st August 2007.

This programme in South Cambridgeshire has come about as a result of the government requiring better community consultation about, and involvement in, the planning process. It demonstrates the Council's commitment to improving the quality of public involvement with increased opportunities for public speaking.

The new arrangements will allow a spokesman for the objectors, followed by the applicant (or the agent or a supporter), a representative of the parish council, and the local Member (even if not a member of the Committee) an opportunity (though there is no compulsion) to address the Committee for up to three minutes each. Members of the Committee may then wish to ask questions of the speaker in order to clarify points just made.