Local democracy: Take part in a council meeting

Council, Cabinet, Committee and Board Meetings

Council, Cabinet, committee and board meetings take place during the year.

Information relating to decision making bodies including their responsibilities.

Meeting dates and forthcoming decisions

There are several ways that you can get involved in meetings.

Deputations

Cabinet, Committee and Board meetings

Cabinet, Committee and Board meetings can receive a deputation from citizens on matters which are on the agenda for that meeting.

Deputations must be in writing and be supported by at least five and no more than 24 citizens.

The deputation must set out why a deputation is required.

Deputations should be sent to the Governance Officer supporting the meeting by 10am three clear working days before the meeting for committees and by 10am two working days before the meeting for Cabinet.

There is a time limit of 20 minutes for deputations at committee meetings and 30 minutes at Cabinet meetings. The deputation will be discussed a course of action will be decided.

Full Council

Full Council can receive deputations on any on any matter relating to the Council’s powers or duties or which affect the borough.

Deputations should be sent to the Head of Governance by 10am two clear working days before the meeting. There is a time limit of 20 minutes for deputations at Full Council meetings.

Committees where deputations are not permitted

Deputations are not permitted at any Overview and Scrutiny Committee or sub-committee, the Standards Sub-Committee, or when planning or licensing applications are being determined.

Questions and comments

Full Council

Citizens can ask questions of members of the Cabinet at Full Council on any matter relating to the Council’s powers or duties or which affect the borough.

Questions must be from citizens (please provide name and address) and only one question can be asked.

Questions should be sent to the Governance Service by 10am two clear working days before the Council meeting. Questioners can attend the Full Council meeting and ask a supplementary question. There is a time limit of 20 minutes for public questions at Full Council.

Cabinet, Committee and Board

Questions or comments can also be asked at Cabinet, Committee and Board meetings, but only on matters which are on the agenda for that meeting.

Questions or comments must be from citizens (please provide name and address). There is no limit on the number of questions that can be asked, but each question must be limited to 100 words.

Questions will be responded to verbally at the meeting by the Leader or committee chair.

Citizens can attend the Cabinet or committee meeting and ask supplementary questions. There is a time limit of 30 minutes for public questions and comments at Cabinet and 20 minutes at committees.

Questions or comments should be sent to the Governance Officer supporting the meeting by 10am three clear working days before the Council meeting. 

Special rules are in place for Area Committee meetings, and speaking at planning and licensing meetings.

Get involved in Scrutiny

Get involved at a scrutiny committee or at a task and finish group review, or suggest a topic for scrutiny to look at.

Raise a local matter at an Area Committee

Special rules relating to Area Committees allow citizens to raise matters affecting their local area at committee meetings.

Matters must be from citizens (please provide name and address).

Matters must be sent to the Governance Officer supporting the meeting by 10am on the tenth working day before the meeting.

A written response will be provided five days before the meeting.

There is no limit on the number of matters which can be raised. Matters will be discussed at the Area Committee and a course of action will be decided.

Speak at a Planning Committee meeting

If you have made a written representation on a planning application and it will be reported to a committee for determination, you can request to speak at the meeting when the decision is being made.

If you have made a written representation and indicated that you wish to speak in the event that the item goes to committee, you will be notified by the relevant case officer of the committee date.

Requests must be submitted to the relevant planning case officer by 10am the third working day before the meeting. Find the relevant case officer 

At planning committees there are two speaker slots available and one additional slot reserved for the applicant or their agent. Where more than two residents register to speak, individuals will be contacted and asked to decide amongst themselves who will represent them at the meeting.

Request to speak at a planning meeting

Speak at a Licensing Sub Committee meeting

If you have made a written representation on a licensing matter which is to be heard at a Licensing Sub Committee, officers will contact you about making representations at the sub committee meeting.