Decision details

To seek Cabinet’s views on the new petitions procedures, prior to consideration and approval at Council.  

This report set out details of the new duty, as set out in the Local Democratic, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, to establish a scheme for handling petitions and informing local people what action would be taken to address their concerns. It was noted that the 2009 Act had set standards and included the facility for electronic petitions.

A new scheme for handling petitions was set out in Appendix B to the report, which was largely based on the model scheme in the statutory guidance. It also incorporated recommendations from the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which were set out in the report.

The scheme set out guidelines for submitting petitions, an explanation of what the council would do upon the receipt of a petition and the possible responses along with details of what the council would do when a petition was received. It also included an appeal facility if the response was considered inadequate by the petition organisers. Further details of the new provisions for petitions to call a full Council debate and for calling officers to account were set out.

Reasons:

To seek clarity on the government's future intentions for the duty for Councils to establish a scheme for handling petitions as set out within the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. Petitions would continue to be processed in line with the existing petition scheme as currently set out within the Constitution.