Brighton and Hove City Council residents will now have more time to pose queries to elected members, with the submission window extended to four working days prior to full council gatherings.

Previously, question submissions had to arrive eight working days ahead of these sessions, often before the meeting agenda had even been released.

The policy amendment received backing from across the political spectrum during Thursday’s full council gathering at Hove Town Hall, held on July 23.

Unlike formal debates during these meetings, public inquiries can address any topic falling within the council’s jurisdiction, regardless of whether it appears on the published agenda.

Labour representative Theresa Mackey observed that local residents had advocated for this adjustment and stressed that those in leadership positions ought to dismantle obstacles to public participation rather than preserve them.

Fellow Green councillor Ollie Sykes sought clarification regarding the council’s constitutional procedures and whether question slots would operate on a chronological basis, though he did not object to the proposed framework.

He acknowledged that the thirty-minute allocation for public queries had been lengthened to accommodate the twelve items tabled for discussion.

Sykes did, however, push for an end to time-wasting tactics during member questioning periods, stating that his party would prevent ruling-group councillors from directing inquiries toward their own political allies.

He stated that this practice consumes valuable time and prevents others from participating.

Additionally, Sykes advocated for re-establishing a multi-party panel to review the council’s governing document.

Conservative group leader Alistair McNair expressed approval for simplifying residents’ ability to submit questions, noting that providing adequate preparation time seemed reasonable and should have been implemented previously.

This adjustment aligns the deadline with procedures used at cabinet meetings, though cabinet-level questions must correspond to specific agenda items under discussion.

The council chair retains discretion to decline certain submissions, including duplicates of queries raised within the preceding six months, statements deemed defamatory, trivial or inappropriate, or requests for classified information.

The subsequent Brighton and Hove City Council session is scheduled for Thursday, September 23.