Questions to the Authority

Report: 4
Date: 30 June 2005
By: the Chief Executive & Clerk

Summary

Members are requested, in accordance with the Authority’s Standing Orders, to hear questions from members of the public. The Chief Executive 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. Questions in relation to the disposal of Old Street Magistrates Court and Police Station have been received from Adiaha Antigha, the Director of Hackney Council for Voluntary Service and from Ngoma Bishop, the Chair of BEM Arts Network, as follows:

1. In the light of the duty on the MPA under the guidance as regards the disposal of historical buildings and the need for the MPA to have regard to community cohesion and crime reduction what value has been placed by the MPA on the cost benefits of the various community projects set out in the Community Advice Project’s business plan?
2. In the light of the duty upon the MPA to consult with local communities why was there no consultation carried out with local people in Hackney?
3. In the light of the under-representation and lack of community resources in Hackney and surrounding boroughs why has no consideration been given to request the permission of the Secretary of State for the Home Department to dispose of the whole site for community use as is permissible under the 2003 legislation?
4. Why, in the light of the high levels of unemployment, crime and fear of crime particularly amongst young people in the London Borough of Hackney, with a disproportionate number within the Criminal Justice System and in jail (22%), there has been no impact assessment carried out under the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000? This is of particular concern given the MPA’s duty to eliminate discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity.

4. 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:

(a) The reasons set out in 2.6.2 above

(b) The question cannot be answered satisfactorily without the disclosure of exempt information (as defined in the Access to Information legislation)

(c) 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

(d) The question actually contains a number of different questions, in which case the Clerk will ask for an amended question to be submitted

(e) 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. Race and equality impact

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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