Creating a Local Petition
Members of the public often wish to bring something to the attention of the Council by setting up a petition. In fact, the previous edition of HIP contained an article by Elaine Saunders about her petition for disability access to beaches Making Hastings: Beaches Accessible to All.
The Council’s constitution makes provision for this through the petition process.
Here are some dos and don’ts:
• It must relate to a matter in which the Council has duties or responsibilities.
• The wording of the petition must be clearly shown at the top of every page of signatures.
• The original petition, not a copy, must be presented and must bear the signatures of 10 or more persons who live or work in Hastings.
• The petition must show the name, address and signature of each signatory.
• You should pass the completed petition to the Mayor or to the Chief Legal Officer.
Collecting signatures in 2020 for Bathing Pool Site
Providing the petition satisfies these requirements, the Chief Legal Officer will acknowledge receipt of the petition and advise the nominated spokesperson or lead petitioner (the first name on the petition) which committee will hear the petition.
The relevant Director or Head of Service will prepare a report responding to the petition and inform the lead petitioner when the petition will be considered by councillors. On that occasion the petitioners will be invited to attend the meeting and, subject to the discretion of the Chair of the meeting, will be asked to address Cabinet or Committee for a period of up to five minutes and to answer questions from councillors. (For information on when petitions are not appropriate visit www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/petitions)
ELECTRONIC PETITION
All e-petitions must:
• Contain a minimum of ten signatories from different households.
• All signatories must live, work or study in the Borough.
• Give the full address of the property or site, the reasons for the petitions and what action or decision you want the Council or relevant committee to take.
• State the lead petitioner and how they can be contacted.
There are strict time limits to ensure that petitions are fully considered when making decisions on the applications, so make sure that you comply with these limits.
The Council do not officially accept change.org petitions as they do not comply with their constitution: they do not contain a full address, and are not on an ‘original document’.
• You can make an e-petition as well as view current and old petitions online at www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/petitions
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