Speaking at a meeting (right to speak)

Exercise your right to speak (speak at a meeting)

Would you like to have your opinion heard? One of the ways to do this is by speaking up during an image-forming evening and/or committee meeting. You can only do this as a resident of our municipality or on behalf of an organization with interests in our municipality.

Inspiring

The goal of the image-forming evening is to inform council and committee members about topics that will eventually be discussed in the committee and council meeting. Residents or interested organizations can speak on the agenda items.

At a committee meeting, political opinions are formed (forming opinions). Speech at these meetings can be on items on the agenda or on a non-agenda item belonging to the relevant committee*.

Speeches can be made at a council meeting only if a topic has not previously been discussed at a committee meeting*.

Rules

  • The chairman shall give the floor in order of application. The chairman may deviate from the order if it is in the interest of the order of the meeting.
  • The speaker shall speak after being granted the floor by the chair. The chairperson may allow participants in the committee meeting to ask speakers a brief, clarifying question. No discussion shall take place between a speaker and participants of the meeting.
  • The chairman shall grant speakers the floor immediately prior to the discussion of the topic or at the beginning of the meeting. This is by mutual agreement.
  • The floor may be taken for a maximum of five minutes per speaker. A maximum speaking time of 30 minutes applies to all speakers at a given meeting, with a minimum of 2 minutes of speaking time if more than 6 speakers.
  • The Registrar, after consultation with the Chair, may refuse the requested opportunity to speak with justification.
  • The committee and council meeting will be broadcast live and recorded. Your public comment will therefore also be recorded in sound and vision.

Would you like to exercise your right to speak?

Contact the registry (griffie@gemert-bakel.nl or 0492-378500) no later than 24 hours before the start of the meeting in question. The clerk's office will note your name, address and telephone number and the subject on which you wish to speak.

It is fine if the clerk's office receives your public comment digitally. It will then be attached to the agenda.

*) According to article 16 from the 'ordinance on council committees 2023' cannot be spoken in about:

  • A decision of the municipal government against which objection and appeal are or have been open, other than a view due to a zoning plan to be adopted;
  • appointments, choices, nominations or recommendations of persons;
  • conduct about which a complaint can or could be filed under Article 9:1 of the General Administrative Law Act;
  • council questions, answers to council questions, accountability or information given to the council by the college or mayor, information notes addressed to the council, internal council matters, motions, committee or council reports and decision lists.