Speaking rights - Cambridge

From Camlink

We set out on this page the arrangements under which members of the public can speak at, and present petitions to, meetings of Cambridge City Council.

Speaking rights

Members of the public have the right to speak at all meetings of full Council, all committees, sub-committees and working parties, with the exception of Homelessness Appeals Committee, Employment Appeals Sub-Committee, Taxi-Licensing Sub-Committee. See below for Planning Committee and Licensing Committee.

If the statement or question relates to an item on the agenda, then the speaker should register their intention to speak with the Committee Manager prior to the meeting. If it concerns a matter which is not on the agenda, then the Committee Manager should be contacted with the details no later than 10am on the working day preceding the meeting.

Members of the public who wish to speak regarding a planning application can do so if they have submitted a written representation in relation to the application and notified the relevant Committee Manager no later than 12 noon on the working day preceding the meeting. Applicants of their agents who wish to speak should notify the relevant Committee Manager by no later than 12.00 noon on the working day preceding the meeting.

Anyone wishing to speak in support of a Licensing application must contact the Committee Manager registering their intention to do so not later than 12 noon on the working day preceding the meeting. Members of the public who wish to speak in objection to a Licensing application and who have put the objections in writing to the Head of Environmental Services within the specified period, must contact the Committee Manager by no later than 12.00 noon on the working day preceding the meeting.

Petitions

Members of the public have the right to present petitions to meetings of full Council. Also, whenever the Council receives a planning application, the planning officer dealing with it sends a letter to neighbours and other people likely to be affected, giving 21 days to send in comments. An accompanying leaflet, called ‘Your Chance to Comment’, gives further advice including what to do if you want to organise a petition. If your petition meets certain conditions you can ask to present it to a Development Control Forum.

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