Public Participation at Council Meetings

Any person residing or working in the Borough may ask a question at meetings of the Council. In addition, recognised and formally constituted public groups and bodies, previously registered with the Borough Secretary and Solicitor, may ask a question.

A period of 15 minutes will be set aside near the beginning of the meeting for questions to be put. You can ask any question as long as it is relevant to some matter over which the Council has powers or duties or which specifically affects the area of the Council or part of it or its inhabitants. It may not, however, relate to a planning application, other planning or licensing matters, personal cases or confidential matters. You may ask one question only. However, you may also ask a supplementary question provided it is relevant to the original question and does not introduce a new subject matter.

The Chairman of the relevant committee will either answer the question orally at that time or will agree to send you a written answer within 7 days.

To register your wish to ask a question you will need to submit the question in writing to the Chief Executive at least 3 working days before the meeting (that is, not counting the day of the meeting). Meetings of the Council are held on a Wednesday so you will need to submit the question by 5 p.m. on the preceding Thursday.

To register a public group or body with the Council an application form can be obtained from the Committee Services at the Council, on 01276 707335 or e-mailcommittee.services@surreyheath.gov.uk To be registered the organisation will need to be a properly constituted body.

Presenting Petitions At Council
A petition may be presented by any Member of the Council or a person resident or working in the area of the Council to any ordinary meeting of the Council.

At least 10 persons must sign the petition. Addresses must be included together with details of whom, if anyone, wishes to speak. The petition must be relevant to some matter over which the Council has powers or duties or which specifically affects the area of the Council or part of it or its inhabitants. It may not relate to a planning application.

A person wishing to present a petition must give at least 3 working days' notice to the Head of Legal and Support Services at the Council offices in Knoll Road, Camberley.

The presentation of a petition shall be limited to not more than 3 minutes and will be confined to reading out or summarising the subject matter of the petition, indicating the number and description of the signatories and making such supporting remarks as are relevant. The subject matter of any petition presented to the Council, of which notice has been given, can be discussed at that meeting or, depending upon the subject matter and its complexity, be deferred to a further meeting.

You may, if you wish, ask a councillor to present the petition on your behalf.

For further information on either of the above please contact the Committee Services on 01276 707335 or e-mailcommittee.services@surreyheath.gov.uk