How to submit a question
You can submit your question in one of the following ways:
-
By post:
Send a completed Public Question Time form to:
Managing Director, Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool -
By email:
Email your question to democratic.services@hartlepool.gov.uk
Please include:
- Your full name and address
- If you’re under 16, the name, address and signature of a parent or guardian
Who can ask a question?
If you live in Hartlepool, you can ask a question at an Ordinary Meeting of Full Council. This is part of your right under the Council’s Constitution.
You can ask up to two questions, and each question can include multiple parts.
What makes a question acceptable?
Your question must:
- Be clear and concise
- Relate to something the Council is responsible for or that affects Hartlepool
- Not repeat a question asked in the last six months (unless circumstances have changed)
When might a question be rejected?
The Managing Director, in consultation with the Chair of the Council, may reject a question if it:
- Is defamatory, offensive or frivolous
- Asks for confidential or exempt information
- Repeats a question asked in the last six months without new circumstances
- Is too long or has too many parts
- Is submitted by someone not on the electoral register
What happens next?
If your question is accepted:
- It will be shared with all elected members before the meeting
- It will be read aloud by the Chief Executive during the meeting
- The Chair of the relevant committee will respond
If your question cannot be answered during the meeting (due to time limits or absence of the Chair), you will receive a written response.