Speaking rights - Huntingdonshire
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 Huntingdonshire District Council. The guidance is extracted from the District Council website.
Speaking rights at the Development Control Panel
Huntingdonshire District Council publishes at its website a comprehensive downloadable leaflet explaining the right of members of the public to speak at meetings of the Development Control Panel.
Petitions
A petition is a written request for Huntingdonshire District Council to consider a particular matter or to take a course of action. A petition can lend weight to a particular viewpoint and demonstrate that a view is shared by others. Petitions can be co-ordinated by individuals or by local organisations.
What can a petition be about?
A petition must relate to something that the Council does or for which it has a responsibility. Alternatively it should be relevant to some matter of major significance or general concern affecting Huntingdonshire. It can also relate to an item on the agenda for the Council meeting at which the petition is to be submitted.
Are there any issues which the Council will not consider in a petition?
Yes. The Council will not accept a petition which:
- is abusive or libellous;
- relates to an identifiable person;
- might lead to the Council acting illegally;
- clearly supports the interests of the person submitting the petition;
- contains matters associated with political parties or organisations;
- refers to a matter which is already the subject of legal proceedings;
- relates to the grant of a licence or planning permission;
- is submitted from employees regarding terms and conditions of employment.
Petitions relating to operational matters (such as the way in which the Council provides its services) will be referred to the Director responsible for that service.
A petition will not be considered by the Council which duplicates a previous petition submitted within the previous 6 months.
What sort of headings should the petition include?
People need to know what they are signing. The petition should state clearly what it is about or what you think is wrong and what you would like to happen. It should also be capable of being read in a few moments to enable people signing the petition to read it first. The petition should state that it is directed to Huntingdonshire District Council.
What information should be included about the people who sign the petition?
Ideally the petition should include the name (in block capitals), address and signature of each person who signed it. The name and address should be in a legible format and the petition should indicate which of the signatories is to present it.
Who should I send the petition to?
You should send your petition to the Council’s Chief Executive at Pathfinder House. He will decide whether the petition relates to an agenda item at a full Council meeting and if not, will arrange for its inclusion on the Agenda for the next full Council meeting.
When should the petition be submitted?
Obviously a petition will need to be received in advance of any particular decision being taken if it is to have any chance of influencing the outcome. If your petition deals with an issue to be discussed by the Council, ask the Directorate concerned when this is likely to occur. Alternatively there are six Council meetings each year at which petitions can be presented.
If the particular issue is to be discussed by the Council, you should ensure that your petition is received well in advance of that meeting. In order for it to be considered it must be delivered to the Chief Executive no later than noon on the 8th clear working day before the Council meeting. Receipt of the petition will be acknowledged by one of the Chief Executive’s staff.
Can I present the petition to the Councillors in person?
Yes. Petitions can be presented in person at meetings of the Council. Any resident and owner / occupier of commercial premises in the District Council can present a petition to a meeting of the Council providing that it contains at least 50 signatures of people who either live or work in the District and it satisfies the conditions explained above.
When will I be called to speak on the petition?
Petitions will be presented at the beginning of a meeting after the Chairman’s announcements. A summary of the wording of the petition will be incorporated on the agenda for the meeting. How much time will I be given at the meeting to speak about the petition?
The person presenting the petition can speak for up to 5 minutes in support of the petition. Councillors can then ask that person questions
about the petition for another 5 minutes. The period for questions can be extended at the Chairman’s discretion.
Can I say what I like?
Almost, although because time is limited you should concentrate on getting the main issues across and avoid straying off the subject of the petition. You must also ensure that what you say is neither abusive or libellous.
Can I take part in the debate on the petition?
No. Once you have spoken to the petition, Councillors may wish to ask you questions about it but only Councillors can then take part in any debate or discussion.
What will happen next?
The Council will take the contents of the petition into account when the relevant item is being considered or will decide whether it should be referred to the Cabinet, or one of the various Panels of the Council for consideration.
Will the petitioners be told of the outcome?
Yes. A letter will be sent following the meeting which will set out the Council’s decision. Will all the people who signed the petition be informed?
No. It would be too costly to send individual letters. One letter will be sent to the organiser of the petition, or if this person is not known, to the first signatory on the petition.
How can I find out more information about the Council’s services?
Guidance on the functions of the District Council is available on the Council’s website: www.huntsdc.gov.uk together with the dates of Council meetings.
Who should I contact for advice on petitions?
Further information on the operation of the petitions procedure can be obtained from the Council’s Democratic Services Division at Pathfinder House, Telephone (01480) 388007 or by emailing Christine.Deller@huntsdc.gov.uk
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