Taking part in council decisions
All meetings have a slot called 'Items from the Public' where you are welcome to speak for up to five minutes and make your views know to councillors. There may also be journalists present, so your views might get wider coverage. You can speak about anything that is within the remit of the meeting.
Letting us know
There is no requirement to give us notice but it helps the meeting to run smoothly if you do. Contact Democratic Services if you want to speak at a particular meeting.
The only exception is for the Public Rights of Way Committee when we do require five working days notice - to allow officers to prepare advice for the committee.
At the meeting
Come to the meeting a few minutes before the start and make yourself known to the Democratic Services staff who will help you with the procedure to be followed at the meeting.
You will have up to five minutes to speak, present a petition or make a written submission. Normally there will be no debate with you about what you say or petition, but councillors will take your views into account during their discussion. Once you have spoken you are free to wait and see the result of any discussion or decision.
Speaking about a planning issue
Planning Committee (Development Control) meetings are a bit different. You have the right to speak about any planning application being considered at that meeting. You may have to share your time with other members of the public. For each application, five minutes are allocated for supporting views and another five minutes for opposing views.
Special needs
Contact us before the meeting if you have any special needs
- If you want to make a point at a meeting but feel nervous about speaking, a member of staff can read something out for you
- Councillors can also raise issues, ask questions or present petitions on your behalf
- If you have copies of any paperwork you would like to circulate at the meeting please tell us in advance and we will do it for you
Petitions
If you present a petition to a meeting it will normally be referred to the executive (cabinet) member who is responsible. A formal response to the petition will be sent to you in due course.