A TOWN council has voted to ban the public from asking certain questions at meetings.

The motion at Monday’s meeting of Westhoughton Town Council was passed with just one member voting against it.

The move means residents cannot ask questions unless they relate to matters within the town council's powers or have not been answered already in the last six months.

A proposal to amend the rules relating to public questions was proposed after some questions have been asked repeatedly at recent meetings, despite the resident being given an answer each time.

Council leader Cllr David Chadwick said the move showed the council was “sensible” and “business-like”.

But Liberal Democrat member Cllr David Wilkinson, the only councillor to vote against the motion, said it would give people the impression members were “not interested”.

Cllr Christopher Peacock said people are not allowed to ask questions at Bolton Council or in Parliament, and the rule change simply amounts to a clarification of the town council’s position.

Cllr Chadwick said: "I don't think anybody is intent on stifling debate on issues in the town.

"But how much latitude can you give somebody to ask the same question over and over again.

"I don't think the town council is being unreasonable with this.

"It is a sensible approach and we are being business-like."

The powers of town councils has been called into question recently, with ex Bolton councillor Andy Morgan calling for them to be abolished last year for being a waste of money.

Cllr Phil Ashcroft, Conservative for White Horse, backed the move on the basis that it would not mislead people over the powers of town councils.

He said: “I don’t want to stop people coming to Westhoughton Town Council.

“But by taking on any question gives people the wrong impression of what our powers actually are.”

Cllr Wilkinson said: "Some people clearly think it is important that they can come to their town council and ask a question.

“If we rigidly stick to these rules we will put off people from coming.

“This will give the public the impression that we are not interested in their concerns which is not true of any member in this chamber.

“I think we should be more flexible.”

Cllr Peacock said: “Asking questions at meetings is a privilege for people in Westhoughton, and is not the case in parliament or at Bolton Council.

“That privilege comes with a responsibility not to abuse the right to speak at meetings.”