Arrangements for observers

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR OBSERVERS AT FOBRA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

 

Please note: these rules apply to normal FOBRA committee meetings only. Separate arrangements may be in place for other meetings e.g. hustings.

Attendance at any event must be pre-arranged with the FOBRA Secretary and Chair.

 

We follow the precedent of Council committees, eg Development Control, where members of the public can speak briefly before the committee discusses each application, but cannot take part in the discussion itself:

 

1. Meeting dates and the agenda for the next meeting are published on our website.
2. Seats and a table are placed at the side of the room for observers. They do not sit at the Committee table.
3. A single slot of up to 10 minutes at the start of Committee meetings is included for dialogue with observers
4. At the Chairman’s discretion, observers may be invited to introduce themselves, explain their interest and make any comment about matters on the agenda.
5. There is a time limit for speaking: of 3 minutes if there is only one person, or up to the maximum shared 10 minutes if several wish to speak.
6. The Chairman may allow a maximum of a further 5 minutes for any response from members of the Committee.
7. Once formal business starts, observers are asked not to intervene.
8. FOBRA reserves the right to hold part or all of any meeting in private if circumstances require this.

 

Observers are of course free to contact any FOBRA member outside the meetings.