Petitions

Have you ever thought of starting a petition? South Cambs' petitions guidance aims to help.

Definition of "Petition"
What can my petition say?
What can't my petition say?
Who can sign it?
What do I need to include?
To whom should it be addressed?
Who decides whether or not my petition is acceptable?
Who will consider my petition?
Can I speak at the meeting?

Related link: Guidelines for Asking Questions at Public Meetings

definition

Definition

For the purposes of this guidance, a petition is defined as "a document embodying a formal written request for some form of action or the consideration of some matter by the Council".

cansay

What can my petition say?

Your petition must be relevant to some matter for which the District Council has powers or duties, or is of general concern affecting the district or part of the district, its Council Tax or National Non-Domestic Rate (NNDR) payers.

South Cambridgeshire District Council has responsibilities for:

Housing Services, such as Council Housing, Equity Share, Sheltered Housing, Housing Advice and Homelessness and more
Environmental Health, like Air Quality, Food Hygiene, Pest Control and more
Support to sports, arts and community development
Refuse collection and recycling
Local planning and building control
Conservation services for buildings and the countryside
Council tax collection for Cambridgeshire County Council, the Fire and Police Authorities, and Parish Councils, as well as for South Cambridgeshire District Council
Housing Benefits
Business rates collection
Licensing
Milton Country Park

South Cambridgeshire District Council does not have responsibilities for:

Education
Social Services
Highways and Transportation (including footpaths, cycleways and bridleways)
Libraries
Trading Standards
Strategic Planning (Structure Plan)
(All of these are the responsibility of Cambridgeshire County Council.)

cantsay

What can't my petition say?

Petitions will not be accepted if they:

are abusive or libellous;
are frivolous, vague or ambiguous;
require the disclosure of confidential or exempt information or are otherwise considered to abuse the Council's powers, duties or obligations;
are substantially the same as a petition, or public question, which has been put to a meeting during the preceding six months;
concern a matter which involves a right of appeal to the courts, a tribunal or a Government Minister. Council employees should use the existing grievance / appeal procedures on matters relating to terms and conditions of employment.

sign

Who can sign it?

Signatories must be people who either live or work in the District unless the law otherwise provides. Your petition must include at least 20 signatures.

include

What do I need to include?

Clearly state the purpose for which your petition is submitted
Include, in a legible format, the name, address and signature of each person who signed it
Clearly specify a contact name and address

sendto

To whom should it be addressed?

The petition shall be sent to the Chief Executive, unless it relates to applications for a permission, consent or licence yet to be determined. In these latter cases, the petition will be reported to the relevant regulatory committee with other responses to consultation.

If relevant, you may copy your petition to your local District councillor(s).

Chief Executive
South Cambridgeshire District Council
South Cambridgeshire Hall
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne
Cambridge CB23 6EA

Acknowledgement of receipt of the petition will be sent no later than the working day following its receipt. Notice of the forum for presentation will be sent within 5 working days of its receipt.

accept

Who decides whether or not my petition is acceptable?

The Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council (This link will open in a new window) and the Chairman of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee (This link will open in a new window) will consider the content and determine the proper forum for its presentation: their decision shall be final. If the subject matter relates to a particular locality, a copy of the petition will be sent to the local councillor(s), and if to a particular service, to the relevant Director.

consider

Who will consider my petition?

A petition may be considered by full Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny and Overview Committee or an Advisory Group depending on the subject matter and the timing of relevant meetings. The meeting considering the petition may refer it to any other body of the Council for action.

Agendas for full Council will include a formal announcement of all petitions received under this procedural guidance since the last Council meeting.

speak

Can I speak at the meeting?

The lead petitioner or nominee as identified on the petition will be invited to speak at the meeting at which it is presented for no more than five minutes and may be questioned by councillors for no more than five minutes. The period for questions may be extended at the discretion of the Chairman. The petitioner is not entitled to take part in any debate on the matter but will be given the opportunity to give a 2-minute summation speech.

If it is intended that the petition will form supporting evidence to a public question to a meeting in accordance with the Council's Constitution (This link will open in a new window), rather than being presented in its own right, the rules and guidelines for public questions (This link will open in a new window) shall be followed.

Following the relevant meeting, the lead petitioner will be advised of the Council's decision on the petition.