Question to the Authority

Report: 4
Date: 27 January 2005
By: Clerk

Summary

Members are requested, in accordance with the Authority’s Standing Orders, to hear a question from Councillor Pat Ryans and Kathryn Bonds. The Clerk will give the Authority’s response at the meeting.

A. Recommendation

That the Authority hears the questions set out below and responds in accordance with Standing Order 2.7

B. Supporting information

1. A question has been received from Councillor Pat Ryans, of Croydon Council, and Kathryn Bonds, representing the Upper Norwood Community Resource Centre, as follows:

“ The area known as Crystal Palace straddles the Boroughs of Lambeth, Croydon, Bromley, Southwark and Lewisham in very small part in the case of the two latter Boroughs; however, it has always been an area where there has never been any seamless and coordinated cross borough police working relationship – it has been tried on occasions but never consolidated as a part of the policing priorities for each Borough. We have, over the last two decades tried, on many occasions, to lobby and canvass for this area to have focused policing arrangements, like any other district centre. To date, the situation has not changed in fact we find that Crystal Palace has been marginalized with the advent of the safer neighbourhood scheme

With the inception of safer neighbourhoods, we felt, that this was an opportunity for the relevant police areas to forge links and make the area one safer neighbourhood. However we see other areas within the Boroughs identify their new safer neighbourhoods and the wards known as Upper Norwood (LB Croydon) and Gipsy Hill (LB Lambeth) have not been prioritised – these are the two main wards that make up the locality. We wish the MPA, to note our serious concerns, regarding these matters and ask that it looks at those district centres, such as Crystal Palace, where they fall on borough boundaries, with a view to encouraging positive joint working on policing issues- as a matter of priority and urgency.”

2. Standing Order 2.7 sets out the process for receiving questions at Authority meetings:

“2.7.1 Members of the public may ask questions of the Authority which are relevant to its business, functions or responsibilities. The Clerk must receive the question in writing not less than ten working days before a meeting of the Authority.

2.7.2 A person may not ask more than three questions in a rolling 12 month period.

2.7.3 The Clerk of the Authority will, in discussion with the Chair of the Authority, have the discretion to refuse a question. In this event, the Clerk shall respond in writing to the questioner outlining the reason(s) for this decision. This letter will be copied to all members, before the Authority meeting, and the Clerk’s decision reported to the meeting as part of the regular report on action taken under delegated authority. Without fettering that discretion, reasons why a question may not be accepted include the following:

1. The reasons set out in 2.6.2 above
2. The question cannot be answered satisfactorily without the disclosure of exempt information (as defined in the Access to Information legislation)
3. In the Clerk's opinion, the question has already been answered by another means and contains no issues of wider public interest that require a public answer
4. The question actually contains a number of different questions, in which case the Clerk will ask for an amended question to be submitted
5. The question is similar to, or on a similar theme to, a question asked by someone else in the preceding three months

2.7.4 Any question(s) shall be included on the agenda for the meeting, in the order of receipt, as the next item of business after the approval of the minutes of the last meeting, and must be addressed to the Chair. The Chair will then invite the Clerk to respond, orally or in writing, on behalf of the Authority. Following the Clerk’s response, the person asking the question may speak further for no more than three minutes. Members may also comment on or discuss the issues raised by the question and answer.

2.7.5 The person asking the question can attend the meeting to put the question. If they are not present, the answer as reported to the Authority shall be sent to them following the meeting. If the person asking the question needs some clarification in relation to the answer, this will be given by the Clerk or appropriate officer, in person or in writing, within ten working days of clarification being sought.

2.7.6 The Chair may use discretion to limit the number of questions asked by members of the public in order to avoid the business of the Authority being disrupted. In any event, no more than 30 minutes will be allowed for public questions and answers. Any questions that remain unanswered within the timescale shall receive written responses only.”

C. Equality and diversity implications

None related to the process of receiving questions from the public.

D. Financial implications

None.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Vile, MPA.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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