Your council makes decisions about your roads, your schools, your bins, and your money. They do it whether you're watching or not. Time to start watching.
Your Legal Right to Be There
Under the Local Government Act 1972 and the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, council meetings are public by default. You have the right to attend, observe, film, tweet, and blog from any public meeting.
The council can only exclude the public for items containing confidential or "exempt" information (personal data, commercial sensitivity, legal advice). Even then, they must pass a specific resolution to go into "Part 2" — and they must justify it.
Most councils allow members of the public to ask questions or make statements. The rules vary — but the opportunity is there if you look for it. Check your council's constitution (they're legally required to publish it online).
Types of Council Meetings
Full Council — all councillors meet to debate and vote on major decisions and the budget.
Cabinet/Executive — the ruling group makes day-to-day policy decisions.
Scrutiny Committees — backbench councillors investigate and challenge cabinet decisions.
Planning Committee — decides on planning applications. You can speak at these.
Licensing Committee — deals with pub, taxi, and entertainment licences.
Make Your Voice Count
Public Questions
Most councils allow public questions at Full Council meetings. Submit your question in writing 2-3 working days before. Keep it specific and factual — "How much did the council spend on consultants last year?" is better than a general rant.
Petitions
Under the Localism Act 2011, councils must have a petition scheme. Petitions above a certain threshold (often 1,500+) trigger a full council debate. Smaller petitions get a written response. Check your council's specific thresholds.
Recording Meetings
Since 2014, you have an explicit legal right to film, photograph, audio record, tweet, and blog from council meetings. The council cannot stop you. If they try, they're breaking the law — remind them of the 2014 Regulations.
Planning Decisions: Where the Real Power Lies
Planning committees decide what gets built in your area — housing estates, supermarkets, mobile phone masts, wind farms. If a planning application affects you, you can:
Submit a written objection (or support) via the council's planning portal.
Request to speak at the planning committee — usually 3-5 minutes. You must register in advance.
Focus on "material planning considerations" — traffic, noise, loss of light, heritage, environment. Personal objections ("I don't like it") carry no weight.
Call-In and Scrutiny
If you think a cabinet decision was flawed, ask a scrutiny committee member to "call it in" — this pauses the decision and forces a review. Scrutiny committees exist to hold the ruling group accountable. Email the scrutiny chair directly with your concerns.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Here's how to get in the game.
Engage With Your Council
Practical steps to attend, influence, and hold your local council accountable.
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