Taking part in the democratic process
How you can have your say
The Council encourages residents and interested parties to participate in the democratic process through a wide scope of channels:
Petitions
Petitions are a well-used method of getting your views across. Any Petition that is signed by at least ten people who are on the electoral roll is eligible for consideration.
The Petition should be sent to the Chief Executive for referral to the relevant Cabinet Member (the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader or one of the six Cabinet Members). The Cabinet Member will consider the Petition and, if necessary, arrange for appropriate action to be taken. The lead petitioner (usually the first person to sign the petition) will be kept informed.
Deputations
You are welcome to arrange a Deputation, using the Council's Deputation Request Form. This is an opportunity to address the relevant committee. You can bring a Deputation to:
- Cabinet: to speak on agenda items. The agenda is normally published two weeks before the meeting. An invitation to submit a request to bring a Deputation is printed on the front of the agenda. Items due to appear before the Cabinet will also appear on the Forward Plan up to four months before the Cabinet meeting.
- Scrutiny Committees: to speak on any item of business within the Committee's terms of reference. You may only bring a Deputation on the same issue once every six months.
Deputation Request Forms must be submitted at least 5 working days before the relevant meeting of the Cabinet or Scrutiny Committee. The Deputation Request Form must be signed by at least 10 registered electors of the Borough and then submitted to the officer referred to on the agenda.
Public Questions to Full Council
A member of the public who lives, works, or is being educated in the Borough, may ask the Leader or a Cabinet Member one question (and one supplementary on his/her reply) on any matter relating to the discharge of the Council's functions. The question must be in writing and submitted to the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic Services) at least 7 clear days before the day of the Council Meeting. Questions which, in the opinion of the Mayor, are defamatory or unsuitable in form, frivolous or derogatory shall not be accepted.
Replies to questions shall be oral. If the questioner is not present when the question is called at the meeting, a written reply shall be provided. However, persons questioned may decline to reply, if in their opinion, questions involve an excessive and unnecessary amount of time on the part of officers in collating or preparing the information required. If a question does not receive a reply within the time allowed for the public session, the Leader or Cabinet Member shall provide a written reply to the questioner. All public questions and the reply given by the Leader or Cabinet Member shall be recorded in the Minutes of the Council. No public questions may be asked at the Annual Council meeting.
Direct involvement on Scrutiny Committees:
Our Scrutiny Committees encourage public participation. You can take part in a number of ways:
Attendance:
All Scrutiny Committees are open to the public (except on very limited occasions when they are considering confidential information). Meetings normally start at 7pm at Hammersmith Town Hall. You are welcome to attend and contribute to the discussion, subject to general rules of debate and the Chairman's discretion.
Co-opted members:
Members of the public can be appointed as co-opted members of a Scrutiny Committee subject to certain provisions. There are six Scrutiny Committees mostly meeting six times a year.
Expert witnesses:
You may have local or special knowledge which would be of use to Scrutiny Committees in their deliberations on specific topics. You could be invited to participate for discussion of this one item.
Select Committee style inquiries:
From time to time, Scrutiny Committees undertake these in-depth inquiries. These involve a great deal of data gathering. They are well publicised and if you have something to share, you are welcome to do so.
Other public meetings:
There are a number of other public meetings that you are welcome to attend. These include:
- Full Council Meetings where strategic plans and programmes are considered and approved, and public questions heard.
- Planning Applications Committee where planning applications are considered (although the public do not have a right to address the Committee- only local Ward Councillors).
- Licensing Committee which deal with pub and entertainment licences. Public objectors do have a right to speak and address the Committee with their concerns.
Please click here for more details of all Council Committees.
For more information about any aspect of participating in the democratic process, please contact:
Kayode Adewumi
Head of Councillors' Services
kayode.adewumi@lbhf.gov.uk
