Debating petitions

Petitions with 300 signatures or more

These are debated by the Executive or the relevant committee.

Petitions with 1,500 signatures or more

Petitions asking for a senior council employee to give evidence are debated at an Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

The petition organiser may speak for up to five minutes. Councillors then debate the issue for up to 15 minutes.

Possible outcomes include:

• taking the action requested
• not taking the action and explaining why
• referring the issue to the Executive
• commissioning further investigation

The decision is confirmed in writing and published online.

Evidence from senior council employees

A petition may request evidence from a senior council employee about matters relating to their job responsibilities.

It must not relate to personal circumstances or character.

If supported by at least 1,500 signatures, evidence will be given within 30 days at a public Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Senior employees who can be called

• Chief Executive
• Corporate Director Place
• Corporate Director Strategy and Resources
• Corporate Director Children’s Services
• Corporate Director Adult's Services
• Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer
• Director Finance and Systems

The committee may decide that another officer or a relevant councillor should attend instead.

Petition organisers can suggest questions to the committee chair up to three working days before the meeting.

A report is sent to the Executive, and the organiser receives a copy.