Issue - meetings

To receive the following deputations:

a) Deputation from Shelagh Simmons regarding pension age changes affecting women born in the 1950s, which relates to a Notice of Motion at item 12a on the agenda.

b) Deputation from Jenny Parker regarding improving the safety of students crossing the road on Chestnut Avenue in Eastleigh on route to Crestwood Community School.

The Chairman invited deputations.

In accordance with Standing Order 20.6 Councillor House moved to suspend Standing Order 12.2.2 to allow the opportunity for some children from Crestwood School to take part in the deputation at Item 9b) on the Agenda in the interests of encouraging young people to get involved in the Council’s processes and promoting participatory democracy.  Councillor Irish seconded the Proposal.

During the course of the ensuing debate, attention was drawn to the information circulated to all Councillors by the Chief Executive in this regard which confirmed that the deputation process is a very specific local approach to hearing views from the community.  Standing Orders have to be carefully constructed and adhered to, to ensure the process is not subject to confusion or abuse.  Furthermore, the Chief Executive highlighted that the question of a child’s informed consent is not straightforward.

The Leader confirmed that he would be happy to review the Council’s deputation process set out in Standing Orders in regard to engaging with children and young people.  He highlighted that the deputation process is not the sole route for children and young people to express their views to the Council and early comments from the recent Ofsted inspection indicates the strength of the Council’s approaches to listening to children and young people.  The Leader emphasised that any revisions to the current deputation procedure, which would be brought back to the Council, would require careful consideration to ensure it contains appropriate safeguards and continues to maintain good governance.

The Chairman confirmed that full and clear written permission that the schoolchildren could speak as part of the deputation and be filmed had not been obtained.

The Proposal was put to the vote and was not carried.  In accordance with Standing Order 20.4, Councillor House moved a further Proposal that the meeting be adjourned for a short period to hear from the schoolchildren off-camera.  The Chairman did not consider the Proposal to be appropriate.

The deputations were received as listed on the Summons subject to noting that the deputation at 9a) on the agenda was presented by Carolyne Jacobs.