• Introduction
• Part 1Can I attend a meeting?
• Part 2Public Participation
• Part 3Are there any restrictions on what questions I may ask?
• Part 4How do I table my question?
• Part 5How much time is allowed for petitions and/or questions?
• Part 6How many questions may I ask?
• Part 7If I put in a question do I actually have to be there?
• Part 8Is there a limit on the length of any question?
• Part 9How will the answer to my question be given?
• Part 10Once my question has been asked, may I ask another?
• Part 11Presentations to Council, Scrutiny, Development Management, Highways and Traffic Orders and Public Rights of Way Committees
• Part 12Representations to Council
• Part 13Representations to the Scrutiny Committee Meeting
• Part 14Presentations to Development Management, Highways and Traffic Orders and Public Rights of Way Committees
• Part 15How will I know what is on the agenda for a meeting?

Part 2

Public Participation

Members of the public are able to ask a question of the Leader or Cabinet Members at meetings of the full Council or at meetings of the Council’s Cabinet.

In certain circumstances presentations or representations may be made to the Council, Development Management Committee, Scrutiny Committees, the Highways and Traffic Orders Committees or the Public Rights of Way Committee.

At meetings of the Council, it must either be a representation or a question, not both.

To ask a question or make a representation or presentation you must live in the area served by the County Council.

You may also, at any time, deliver or present a petition to the Council or one of its Committees (depending on the subject matter). There are various actions which the Council may take (depending upon the numbers of signatures your petition has), such as a senior officer attending a scrutiny committee, consideration of your petition at a Council meeting, holding a public meeting or researching the matter further. For further information you may like to read our Petition Scheme in part 4 of the Constitution