h. Public participation

It is good practice for councils to set aside a period during meetings when the public can make statements or ask questions.  This should include meetings of the full council and of those committees likely to be of most interest to the public, e.g. planning.

The PP session is part of the actual meeting. It should not be held before or after the meeting , or partway through the agenda with the meeting being 'closed' and then resumed after the PP  - these are old practices and do not conform to current advice.

Standing Order 3 provide a sound basis on which to structure public participation (PP) sessions.  NALC also provide guidance on this in  Legal Topic Note 5 (para 43). 

Public involvement can be limited to those items on the agenda,  although some councils allow members of the public to raise other items of concern or interest. While Councils should limit the duration of a formal PP session, there is no reason why comment cannot be sought from a member of the public during the other parts of the meeting should it be considered appropriate. This should be used sparingly and controlled by the Chair.

The  minutes of the meeting should record that a PP session took place, and the issues raised. Care should be taken not to identify members of the public attending or to disclose any personal data.