WAVERLEY has been warned that it would be “politically unwise” to drop the informal questions slot, which allows members of the public to give the borough council no prior notice, but to turn up on the night of a council meeting to ask a question.

Committee members were asked to agree the recommendation to remove the public informal questions option by Waverley’s constitution Special Interest Group (SIG), following its annual review.

The SIG had concerns about the “effectiveness” of the slot provided to accommodate members of the public unable to submit a question a week in advance for the formal questions slot.

Waverley webcasts do not include the informal questions slot, which takes place in the 15 minutes before a committee meeting formally opens.

The SIG proposed that the advance notice needed for formal questions was reduced to four days rather than seven days, to make up for dropping informal questions, and also Waverley would provide written responses and circulate them at the relevant meetings to ensure a formal question got a “comprehensive” answer.

Councillors were informed at last week’s meeting that concern had been expressed about “how this might be perceived” by the public, but SIG members “were confident” that questioners would prefer to receive researched and detailed answers, which could not be guaranteed in the informal questions slot.

Opposition group Farnham Residents councillor John Fraser told the meeting: “I urge you not to change informal questions. It will be misunderstood by residents who are accustomed to be able to turn up and ask a question

“It will be seen as circumscribing their freedom. It may ensure questions can be dealt with more systematically but it would be politically unwise.”

Committee members disagreed, however. Farnham councillor and constitution SIG member Pat Frost, said: “I’m somewhat surprised people want to come here and ask an informal question and do not want a proper reply.

“I have heard answers that could be described as a bit dismissive.

“To write the answer down and for them to get a proper response, shows that we value them coming. It is meant to be positive. We can give them the answers they require.

Waverley leader and council chairman Julia Potts said: “We all agree the public deserve a detailed answer. We are trying to find the right balance and ensure we provide the public with answers in a timely fashion.

Committee members also agreed that the ability to call-in planning applications so they can be heard by a committee, rather than determined by officers using delegated powers, should not be limited to the ward members involved, but extended to councillors across the borough.