Everyone has the right to attend meetings of the council
and of committees and sub-committees (although they may sometimes
be excluded while particular items concerning exempt matters are
being discussed).
The Mayor's fortnightly Proceedings and his monthly cabinet
meetings take place in public. See details of the dates and times
on the calendar of meetings.
There are a number of ways in which you can make your voice heard,
including speaking at meetings, provided you have followed the
correct steps (see below).
Even if you can't attend the meeting you can see the papers
relating to decisions made by the Mayor, the council and its
committees.
These are available at our offices and local libraries.
How can I get the council or a committee to consider my
views?
There are a number of ways in which you can let councillors know
your views:
(1)
Contact your councillor
(2) Deputations
We make time for local people to make deputations about
specific subjects to our representatives. This means you can come
along with four other people to a meeting and three of you may put
your case before the meeting.
You will have 10 minutes to speak and then councillors may ask you
questions. If you wish to make a deputation you will need to
contact Member Services at Newham Town Hall. Please contact
John Mattock on
020 8430 3316 for further for details.
Deputations may be made at any meeting of the
council, its committees or cabinet on receipt of a written notice
at least five working days in advance of the meeting or at the
invitation of the Chief Executive in consultation with the
councillors.
On receiving a request, the Chief Executive will decide the
appropriate decision making body to which the Deputation should be
referred having consulted the Mayor or relevant Member and taking
account of the wishes of the Deputation.
(3) Petitions
You may ask a councillor to present a
petition to a council meeting on your behalf calling for action on
a specific issue.
All councillors hold advice sessions for local people to discuss
any problems they may have. For information about ward councillors
and their surgeries, see the councillors section or contact the
Call Centre on 020 8430 2000 if you wish to find
out who your ward councillor is.
(4) Public Question
Time
Occasionally, time will be set aside at
council meetings for public questions,. This will be to deal with
questions about matters that do not fall within the responsibility
or power of the Mayor.
From time to time the Mayor will hold public question time events
in the community. If you wish to submit a question to Council you
will need to contact Member Services at Newham Town hall. Contact
John Mattock on
020 8430 3316 for details. if you have a question
for the Mayor look out for one of his special events and submit
your question.
If you want to know more about the Mayor's
question time events, please contact the Mayor's Office on
020 8430 2103.
(5) Planning and Licensing Applications
Development Control Committee decides major
planning applications. Objectors to planning applications, and
applicants where an application is objected or is recommended for
refusal, may request to speak at the Development Control
Committee.
If you wish to speak on an application you must
contact Shirley
Fortune on 020 8430 3401 and ask to see the
relevant report, which is issued five clear working days before the
meeting. If you want to speak at the meeting you must give written
notice by noon two days before the meeting.
Speakers are usually allowed up to 5 minutes to speak, and the
committee may then ask questions. You should not lobby individual
members of this committee as it could compromise their position and
prevent them from taking part in the
decision.
(6)
Newham Community and Police Forum
The Forum enables a two-way flow of
information between the police and the local community as required
under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
It may look at operational matters, the outcomes of complaints,
the attitude of the police and the community, generally and towards
one another, encourage greater understanding of policing issue, and
responses of the police and the community to major incidents. It
may not look at individual cases or current investigations or
allegations.
Members are appointed from the council and the
police, as well as the borough's MPs. Other members are nominated
from bodies with a close interest in the police and justice system,
such as the Crown Prosecution Service and Victim Support. Other
representatives are sought form faith and equality groups, tenants
and residents, the education service and other bona fide community
groups.
If you are interested in getting involved in
this important area, you should contact
Joy George on
020 8430
3401
(7)
Education Appeals
We operate an independent appeals service to hear appeals from
parents/guardians whose children have been refused admission to the
school of their choice, or who have been excluded from schools.
These meetings are sensitive and held in private.
However, we are anxious to maintain a well-trained and committed
body of individuals from the community who are prepared to
volunteer to sit on Appeals Panels and hear these cases. If you are
interested in making this contribution and would like an
application form, please contact
Ros Smith on
020 8430 3501.
(8) Scrutiny
Scrutiny is undertaken by councillors to act as a check and
balance on the Mayor, holding him to account for his decisions. You
can assist or encourage your councillor in this by for example
doing research.
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