Sutton to host its own version of Question Time (From Sutton Guardian)
Contact us: Got a photo? Text SLPICS to 80360, click to upload your story or call
020 8722 6355
Sutton to host its own version of Question Time
4:56pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News By James Pepper
Leader of the Council Ruth Dombey
Residents will get a rare opportunity to ask the people in power some hard hitting questions in the borough's adaptation of Question Time.
Sutton's first-ever Question Time on November 7 will bring together a panel of leaders from local government, police and the voluntary sector to face an audience of up to 110 people.
Audience members will fire questions at Leader of the Council Ruth Dombey, Guy Ferguson, the police borough commander; Susanna Bennett, chief executive of the Sutton Centre for the Voluntary Sector; councillor Colin Hall, deputy leader of Sutton Council, and Niall Bolger, the chief executive of Sutton Council.
The topics covered on the night will be selected by the audience, and the host for the evening will be Sutton Guardian Assistant Editor Matt Watts.
Councillor Ruth Dombey said: "We want to listen to people. We want to explain the financial pressures on public services and understand our residents' priorities and concerns.
"We want to answer your questions about youth services and services for the elderly, about education, parks, parking and policing. We want to talk about the voluntary sector and how local people can get involved in their community.
"Most of all we want to talk about your concerns and provide answers."
The event will be held at the Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton from 7-9pm.
Tickets will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but anyone who cannot get along can follow events as they happen using Twitter at #SuttonQT.
Ticket-holders will be asked if they have a question as they arrive and some will be selected to put their enquiry directly to the panel.
Before the night itself some residents will be filmed asking questions and the audience will be able to vote which ones should be screened on the night and addressed by the panel.
To apply for tickets or pose a question email questiontime@sutton.gov.uk or for further information contact Sutton.gov.uk/questiontime
Paul Scully says...
12:52pm Wed 31 Oct 12
Rather it's simply a variation of the old public meeting. It's a shame that other political parties weren't invited onto the panel to generate some real debate and offer a different view.