Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) will have a range of duties including ensuring the sustainable exploitation of sea fisheries resources and protection of the marine environment from sea fishing, under sections 153 and 154 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

The constitution approved by the Committee in June 2024 can be found on the following link:

Cornwall IFCA Constitution Approved 14 June 2024  

35. Questions from the Public and Public Speaking 35.1 Subject to rules as set out in this Constitution members of the public may ask questions at any ordinary or extraordinary meeting of the full CIFCA Committee. 35.2 The Monitoring Officer or his nominated representative at the meeting is authorised to reject a question from the public if it does not meet the following criteria; · it is defamatory, frivolous or offensive; · it is substantially the same as a question put at a meeting of the CIFCA in the past 6 months; or · answering it requires the disclosure of Confidential or Exempt information. 35.3 A maximum period of 15 minutes will be allocated for public questions and public speaking at the start of the meeting. 35.4 Questions will be asked or speakers be invited to speak in the order notice of them was received, except that the Chairman may group together similar questions which will be taken in the data order they are received. 35.5 A question may only be asked if notice has been given by delivering it in writing or electronically to the Monitoring Officer or his nominated representative no later than midday three clear working days before the day of the meeting. Each question must give the name and address of the questioner and copies of all questions will be circulated to all members and will be made available to the public attending the meeting. Rejected questions will include reasons for rejection but at the discretion of the Chairman a written response may be provided to a rejected question. 35.6 No person or organisation may submit more than one question to any one meeting and no more than two questions in any financial year. 35.7 The Chairman will invite the questioner to put the question to the CIFCA. If the questioner who has submitted a written question is unable to be present the Chairman may decide to put the question on their behalf and give a written response or that the question will not be dealt with. 35.8 A questioner who has put a question may, at the discretion of the Chairman, put one supplementary question without notice to the CIFCA. A question or supplementary question which cannot be dealt with during public question time will be dealt with by way of a written answer. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or the reply. The Chairman may reject a supplementary question on any of the grounds in Rule 35.2 above or if it shall prejudice the answering of questions of which notice has been given. 35.9 A written question shall be limited to 200 words and the Chairman reserves the right to terminate any questions from the public if he considers it is not relevant to the subject matter of the agenda or the speaker is becoming abusive or disruptive. 35.10 The right for a member of the public to speak at any meeting of the CIFCA shall be at the sole discretion of the Chairman and there is no automatic right to speak. The speaking shall be relevant to agenda items to be considered by the CIFCA at that meeting. 35.11 Multiple speakers shall not be allowed on the same subject, should several people wish to speak on the same subject the Chairman shall select one speaker to represent all and no public speaker will be allowed to speak for longer than 5 minutes. 35.12 The Chairman reserves the right to terminate any person asking a question, or speaking if it is considered the points being made are not relevant to the subject matter of the agenda or the speaker is becoming abusive or disruptive. 35.13. Any question or supplementary question which cannot be dealt with during public question time, either because of lack of time or because of the non-attendance or if it did not relate to a matter on the agenda of the Member to whom it was to be put, shall be dealt with by a written answer.   Please submit public questions to enquiries@cornwall-ifca.gov.uk and copy to mark.1.walker@cornwall.gov.uk

Please contact Mark Walker, Democratic Officer, Cornwall Council, on 01872 322222, mark.1.walker@cornwall.gov.uk.

If you wish to attend the meeting in person, please let us know of any accessibility needs you have so that we can ensure you are able to fully participate, by emailing democraticsupport@cornwall.gov.uk