PUBLIC speaking time has been rearranged at a council's meetings to allow people to put their case more easily.

Instead of having to pose questions and make statements at the start of proceedings, Richmondshire District Council will allow the public to speak immediately before the agenda item in which they are interested.

The suggestion was raised at the authority's state of the district debate last month and was backed by council leader Councillor John Blackie.

He told the council on Tuesday that each person who asked a question would receive a response from an officer or a member and could then pose a supplementary query, which would also elicit a reply.

Better publicity for council meetings was also promised, along with a leaflet to explain the authority's procedures and processes.

Councillor Jim Fryer, chairman of the planning committee, also agreed to a one-year trial of the arrangements for his meetings.

Issues that arose at the state of the district debate also led to the appointment of Councillor Stuart Parsons as the member champion to strengthen links between the council and Catterick Garrison, in particular, the young soldiers based there.

Ways in which people with learning disabilities can be employed by the council are also to be explored, including delivering the Curlew news sheet and leaflets.