Attending council meetings

There are a large number of meetings that members of the public can attend and participate in.

Can I attend meetings?

Yes. You have the right to:

• Attend meetings of the council, boards and committees - except where confidential or exempt information is likely to be disclosed
• Attend meetings of the Cabinet when key decisions are being considered.

Which meetings can I attend?

You can attend any of these meetings:

• Council - where decisions are taken by all 38 elected members
• Cabinet - considers executive decisions
• Planning Committee - determines planning applications
• Scrutiny Committee - the Community and Corporate Scrutiny Committees
• Licensing Committee - considers all licensing matters
• Audit and Governance Committee 
• Local Plan Committee

What other rights do I have?

• You have the right to sign and present a petition to the council and to address members in support
• You have the right to sign and present a deputation to the Council and to address members in support
• You have the right to participate in the question and answer session at Cabinet, Council, the Local Plan Committee, and both teh Community and Corporate Scrutiny Committees
• You have the right to speak at meetings of the Planning Committee in favour of or against applications.

Access to information

• You have the right to find out from the Executive Decision Notice what executive key decisions are being considered
• You have the right to see reports and background papers, and any records of decisions made by the council and the Cabinet.

All papers are available to view online and in reception at the Council Offices.

Where can I find out when meetings are taking place?

See the 'Meeting Dates, Agendas and Minutes' page, or visit the notice board in the reception at the Council Offices.