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Changes to Public Questioning Protocol by Tees Valley Combined Authority Raises Concerns

In a significant shift in policy, the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is facing criticism for its decision to revise the public questioning protocol ahead of its meetings. The change, which removes the option for the public to submit questions beforehand, has been described by some as an infringement on citizen rights.

The existing procedure allows members of the public to send in their questions, which are then addressed by authority officers during meetings. However, this system is slated for discontinuation during an upcoming meeting, as outlined in a cabinet report. The report proposes the implementation of a new Question Time format featuring the Mayor, Lord Ben Houchen, starting in May, which will eliminate the established public participation protocol from the TVCA’s constitution.

The report emphasizes the importance of addressing legitimate inquiries, while arguing that the current protocol is a misallocation of resources. According to the proposal, hours of officer time are diverted to respond to questions that could be easily answered through existing resources, thus compromising efficiency.

Mayor Houchen plans to conduct in-person Question Time events biannually and engage in a monthly local radio phone-in to replace the previous system of pre-submitted questions. However, Ray Casey, a spokesperson for the Teesside Resistance group, has voiced concerns that these changes could diminish public oversight of the authority. He warned that the new framework may not guarantee public access to the Mayor, potentially allowing for the filtering of questions to omit challenging ones. Additionally, he expressed skepticism regarding the Mayor’s ability to respond to complex inquiries during these limited engagements.

Public Funding and Resource Allocation Under Scrutiny

During a meeting last year, Emma Simson, the chief legal officer for TVCA, recounted how officers had worked tirelessly to address submitted questions in advance of meetings. This anecdote reflects the commitment of the staff, but it has also fueled arguments for the change. The report argues that the current system’s demands are not an effective use of public funds.

The cabinet report states, “Where there is a legitimate question to answer, it is important that TVCA does so, but currently hours of officer time are being used pointing to readily available resources, reducing capacity.” It further articulates that eliminating this protocol is a justified adjustment, particularly in light of practices established by other combined authorities that have adopted a similar Question Time format with an elected mayor.

Nonetheless, Casey counters that instead of retracting public rights, the TVCA could enhance its capability to manage public inquiries in a timely and efficient manner. He suggests that rather than eliminating pre-submitted questions, the authority should focus on improving its responsiveness to community concerns.

Source
www.bbc.com