From December, members of the public will be able to ask questions at Highland Council meetings.
Currently the public can attend council meetings, but may not speak.
Councillors have agreed that twenty minutes of future full council meetings will be set aside for public questions.
Each member of the public can ask one question, which can’t exceed one minute, and which needs to be notified beforehand in writing.
The question must refer to an issue which affects the Highland Council area or falls within the council’s responsibilities and must not be substantially the same as a question which has been put at a meeting of the council in the past six months.
The question must not be defamatory, frivolous, vexatious or offensive, must not require the disclosure of confidential or exempt information; and must not refer to individual planning or licensing matters or any matter of a personal nature.
A supplementary question will be allowed.
The motion was brought forward by depute leader councillor Alasdair Christie and pitted against an amendment by council leader Margaret Davidson who said a report was needed to look at the recommendations in detail before a decision was made.
Mr Christie’s motion won by 36 votes to 25, with 2 abstentions.
It included an additional line by councillor Ron MacWilliam stating that council ‘committed to review current security and public seating arrangements to encourage attendance at meetings and to ensure a warm welcome for all citizens wishing to engage with Highland Council.’
Mr MacWilliam said: “I want Highland Council to throw open the doors to the public. These meetings decide on public policy and public money so there can be no earthly harm in the public being here.
“I’m delighted that the council agreed with my proposal to review all security and accommodation arrangements to better welcome in the citizens of the Highland Council area.”
Mr Christie said: “Allowing the public to ask us questions will truly demonstrate that we are listening to the public, allowing them to become involved in council business and will result in the council being more connected to our communities.”
