Council — Havant

The 36 members of the Council meet together in the Council Chamber at approximately six weekly intervals. The Council meets under the Chairmanship of the Mayor.

The Mayor controls the debates and makes rulings on any matters that cause dispute during the meetings.

Honorary Aldermen (who play no part in formal Council meetings) may also present.

There are also facilities available for the press.

The Councillors sit in the body of the Chamber. As the Council is divided into political groups, the members of each group will sit together in agreed sections of the Chamber.

Address from the Public

An address made by a member of the public may only be presented if a summary of the text has been received by the Democratic Services Manager no later than 12 noon three working days before the meeting. The speech shall reflect the summary provided.

The Monitoring Officer may rule out of order any address that:

1 is vexatious, derogatory, defamatory, frivolous or offensive;

2 concerns a Council employment or staffing matter or sensitive personal information about a Councillor;

3 is unrelated to functions of the Committee; or

4 has been previously considered in the last 6 months.

Questions From Members of the Public Questions from members of the public will only be permitted where they have been received by the Democratic Services Manager no later than 12 noon three working days before the meeting. An answer may take the form of: a a direct oral answer; b where the desired information is contained in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner.