Asking questions at Cabinet

At the start of each Cabinet meeting, there are 15 minutes for questions from members of the public.

Who can ask a question?

Any member of the public who lives in Hull may put a question to a member of the Cabinet at ordinary meetings of the Cabinet.

How can I get a question asked?

You must give notice of your question in writing by post or e-mail to the Democratic Services Officer no later than midday 2 working days before the day of the meeting. You must give us -

• your name
• your address
• the name of the organisation you represent (if applicable)
• the member of the Cabinet the question should be put to

Your name and the ward in which you live will be included in the papers for the Cabinet meeting, by submitting a question the questioner automatically gives the council his/her consent to publish their details.

Who's in the Cabinet?

How many questions can I ask?

Only one question may be asked by any one person or organisation at any one meeting.

What kind of question can I ask?

Questions should relate to matters of policy or decisions which are normally made by the cabinet. Cabinet may refer the question to a more appropriate committee or officer.

Can a question be changed or rejected?

A question may be edited to bring into a proper form, to make it clearer and to keep it to a reasonable length.

A question may be rejected if -

• it is not about a matter that the council has responsibility for
• it is not a matter which is relevant to the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Cabinet
• it is defamatory, frivolous or offensive
• it is substantially the same question which has been answered by the cabinet within the last 6 months
• it requires the disclosure of exempt or confidential information
• it is a statement rather than a genuine enquiry to obtain information

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer) is responsible for editing/rejecting questions that have been submitted.

What if there isn't time for all the questions?

Questions are asked in the order they are received, except where similar questions are placed together. If there isn't enough time to answer all questions within the 15 minute period, some questions may be deferred to the next meeting.

The Council Leader is ultimately responsible for the selection of questions to be answered.

Do I need to be at the meeting?

No, your question will be put to the appropriate Cabinet member who will give an answer. A written answer will also be sent to you.

If you are at at the meeting, you will be given the opportunity to put your question directly to the relevant Cabinet member.

Will the question go into the minutes?

Yes, the minutes of the meeting will record the details of the questions asked, who asked them, and the answers given.

Will there be any debate based on the questions or answers?

No. Neither the questions submitted nor the responses will be the subject of debate.

Who do write to with my question?

Send your question and details -

by e-mail to: committee.services@hullcc.gov.uk

by post to:

Democratic Services
Guildhall
Alfred Gelder Street
Hull
HU1 2AA