To receive questions from members of the public who wish to ask a general question in respect of matters within the Council’s area of responsibility or influence.
Subject to the Chair’s discretion, members of the public may ask one question and one supplementary question, which should relate to the original question and answered received.
Councillors may also ask questions under this agenda item.
Minutes:
A question was received from Mr Azam who asked why it was so difficult to share the Terms of Reference or give enough advance notice of when the consultant was meant to come as part of the independent review.
The Monitoring Officer advised that the Consultant had withdrawn at the last moment.
In his supplementary question he advised there was a Muslim bereavement liaison group that didn’t know the terms of reference and he believed the Council were creating a toxic environment.
The Monitoring Officer responded saying he disagreed and that the Council were committed to consultation and involve various groups and consult with groups of various religious communities. The Leader suggested that Mr Azam provided his details to the Monitoring Officer and this could be followed up.
Mr Hussain asked a question relating to the Muslim public graveyard and stated that Councillor Alam previously advised he had only been aware of the flooding issues since the Easter weekend which was conflicting information.
In Councillor Alam’s absence, the Leader recalled that Councillor Alam was recounting when he had personally been advised of the issues.
Mr Hussain advised that the flooding issues had been there for years, before Dignity had taken over the contract and questioned when exactly the Council became aware of the issues.
The Leader said he would attempt to find out the information and for Mr Hussain to leave his details so this could be clarified.
Mrs Khan stated that the Muslim Burial Council had been notified at the last minute that the review had been cancelled and wanted an explanation as to why this had happened.
The Monitoring Officer advised that the Consultant withdrew from the process and that the Council were considering its next steps.
In her supplementary question she stated that she had been advised that the Consultant felt like they were being controlled by the Council. The Monitoring Officer advised this didn’t tie in with his understanding and that he would check and respond in writing.