Public Questions
The Combined Authority is passionately committed to listening to the views and expertise of the region in as many ways as possible.
At every Board meeting, Thematic Committee and Overview and Scrutiny meeting there is an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions about Combined Authority business under the Agenda Item – Public Questions.
How much time is allowed for public questions?
A period of up to thirty minutes is allocated for all questions, although the Chair may exercise his/her discretion to extend this for a further 15 minutes should this be required. This is shared with the period for questions from members of Constituent Councils.
Who can ask a question?
Any member of the public who is a resident / or works in the Combined Authority area can ask a question at the:
- Combined Authority Board Meeting
- Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meetings
- The three thematic Committees:
- Growth Committee
- Transport Committee
- Skills Committee
How many questions can I submit?
You may only submit one question per meeting.
What can my question be about?
Your question must relate to a matter that the Combined Authority has responsibility for or affects the area of the Combined Authority.
Questions will not be permitted if they are:
- illegal, improper, defamatory, frivolous or offensive. This includes making unfair claims about Members of the Combined Authority or constituent authority staff.
- Repeat a question that has already been asked in the past year.
- Request access to information that is deemed confidential or exempt.
If your question is rejected, you will be notified in writing giving the reasons.
How do I ask a question?
You must submit your question in writing by email to the Monitoring Officer no later than midday, three working days before the meeting.
You must provide your name and address and the name of the Combined Authority Member (or their title) to whom your question is to be put. If the question is being asked on behalf of an organisation, you should also provide these details.
You can submit your question to the Monitoring Officer by emailing:
democratic.services@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk.
Can I ask the question in person?
Yes, you may attend and present your question in person at the meeting. However, if you are unable to attend you may request to join the meeting remotely through a hybrid link. You may also request that an officer read your submission on your behalf.
The meeting usually follows the order as printed on the agenda, but the Chair will also explain what is happening and invite you to present your question at the appropriate time. You will be allowed a period of up to two minutes to pose your question.
Should you choose to ask a question via a hybrid link and the technology fails during the meeting, the Chair may then choose to ask an Officer to read the question out or decide that the question will not be heard, and a written answer will follow.
Who will respond to my question?
Your question will be answered by the Member to whom the question has been addressed. The Democratic Services Team will co-ordinate this process and ensure that the relevant Member is informed of the question being posed to him or her.
Can I ask a follow up question?
You may ask one supplementary question, which must be brief and arise out of your original question or the response. However, this is subject to their being sufficient time.
Questions and responses are not open to debate.
Will I receive a written answer?
A written answer will also be provided to you after the meeting and copies of all questions and answers will be added to the Combined Authority website.
Will I be recorded or videoed when presenting my question?
Members of the public attending public meetings may record the meeting via audio or video recordings. This will include any public questions. The Authority cannot prevent the recording taking place so please consider this possibility before submitting your question. The Authority also live streams all its meetings.
How will my question and personal information be recorded?
Your name will be included in the agenda with question which will be publicly available information. Your question will be recorded within the Minutes of the meeting and on the CPCA website.
Your address and contact details will not be given out but will be stored by the Democratic Services Team for up to one year.
How are the rules about public questions determined and where can I find them?
The procedure rules are part of the Constitution which sets out how the Authority will operate. These can be found in Part 5 of the Constitution which can be found here
Need help?
If you have any questions not answered by this guide or would like assistance or advice in submitting a question, the Democratic Services staff will be very happy to help. If so, please contact Democratic Services by email: democratic.services@cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk