The procedure for submitting a Petition to the Council is outlined
within the Council's constitution, under the Overview and Scrutiny Rules
(section 20).
The purpose of a petition?
Petitions sent in to the Council can have positive outcomes that generate debate or highlight an issue leading to changes.
All petitions which members of the public wish to present to be considered
by the Council must bear the signatures of at least 20 local government
electors for the district and be presented to the Head of Democratic
and Members' Services.
What issues can a petition relate to?
The petition must relate to a matter(s) in respect of which the Council exercises functions and on a matter(s), which affects the inhabitants of the whole or a part of the District.
The petition must not relate to court or legal proceedings, disclose
confidential or exempt information or be defamatory, frivolous or offensive.
How do I submit a petition for consideration?
A person wishing to present a petition to the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee must give at least 10 clear days notice in writing to the Head of Democratic and Members' Services explaining details of the petition, using the Petitions Form.
Petitions Form (Word Format)
Petitions Form (PDF Format)
If a petition is deemed inadmissible, the petitioner will be informed
of the reasons for that decision, otherwise the Petitioner will be invited
to speak for 10 minutes at the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee in support
of the petition.
What happens after my petition has been considered by Scrutiny?
After presentation of the petition, the Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee may select one or more of the following options:
(i) Consider the petition and agree to take no further action.
(ii) Consider the petition and forward it to another Committee of the Council or person within the Council for consideration.
(iii) Consider the petition and forward it to another body or organization outside the Council for consideration and response.
(iv) Invite the petitioner(s) to provide additional information to assist it in reaching a decision on the action to be taken in relation to the petition.
(v) Take any other action that it considers appropriate.
The Committee shall then provide a formal response to the petition.
E-mail: scrutiny@dover.gov.uk
