New online councillor surgery is tested

Release Date:  13-Oct-2008

A new online councillor surgery is being tested out as part of this year's Local Democracy Week (October 13-19).

The innovative scheme will give the people of Bristol the chance to quiz Councillor Terry Cook on a range of issues affecting them and the city by asking him questions live online.

The surgery will take place on Thursday, October 16 from 5pm to 7pm.  All people have to do is go to www.bristol.gov.uk/ask where they can leave their question.

Each question will be put in a queue and answered in turn by Cllr Cook, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Involvement and the city council's 'Cycling Champion'.

The questions are kept confidential and can't be seen by other users of the site.

Cllr Cook said: “This ambitious trial scheme gives the people of our city the chance to ask me any question they may have about how the city council works and about the services the council provides.

“It means that people can ask questions from the comfort of their home and so don't need to make the effort to visit a councillor surgery at a specific venue.

“I'll do my best to fully answer each question live online, but if there are very specific questions which I need to research to answer, I'll aim to respond within 24 hours.

“I hope people take this opportunity to ask me about any council-related subject which is of interest to them.”

Bristol Libraries is piloting the surgery through its Enquire resource, which provides round the clock access to a national online reference service.

If the scheme proves a success it could be rolled out to other councillors to help them hold more regular 'online surgeries'.

To take part in this week's online surgery simply visit www.bristol.gov.uk/ask on Thursday (October 16) between 5pm and 7pm.

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