Anna Turner

10/07/2008

APPROVAL OF 'PUBLIC FORUM' AT AUTHORITY MEETINGS

Cambridgeshire Police Authority has agreed to the inclusion of a public forum at all its meetings which are held in public.

The Authority previously already made provision for members of the public attending one of its committee meetings to pose a question, but the amendment to Standing Order 6 extends that provision. In future, members of the public will be allowed to make a statement presenting a factual piece of information or the particular view of an individual or group of people about something which the Authority will be considering later in the meeting.

Keith Walters, Chairman of the Police Authority, said: “It is important that the Police Authority is as open and accountable to the public as possible. This amendment guarantees even greater accountability by ensuring that the views of the public are taken in consideration during the course of the meeting. In coming to its decisions the Authority should be fully aware of the potential impact on its communities. This will provide an opportunity for members of the public to use the forum for that purpose.”

The amendment to the Standing Order will apply to the following meetings:

 Full Police Authority

 Professional Standards Committee

 Finance and Resources Committee

 Scrutiny and Audit Committee

 Ethical Standards Committee

Details of the Authority's forthcoming meetings, including dates and venues, are included on its website www.cambs-pa.gov.uk

Details of all Police Authority Standing Orders, including No. 6, can be found by clicking on the `Policies, Plans and Reports' section of the website.