Citizens' Rights

Citizens have a number of Rights when dealing with this Council. These Rights are set out below and reflect legal rights plus some based on the services provided by the Council.

Elections & Electoral Registration

  • Right to register to vote, if eligible.
  • Right to vote at local, Government and European elections if registered to do so.
  • Right to use a postal vote at local, Government and European elections.
  • Right to use a proxy to vote for you at local, Government and European elections.
  • Right to stand for election as a District Councillor, if eligible.

Council and Committee Meetings

Attendance

  • Right to attend meetings of the Council and its committees and sub-committees, except where exempt or confidential information may be discussed.

Public Participation

  • Right to ask questions at a meeting of the Council and/or most of its committees and sub-committees through the Council's Public Question Time scheme.
  • Right to speak at meetings of the Licensing Committee through the Council's Public Speaking schemes, either as an applicant or their agent/supporter, an objector or on behalf of statutory consultees.
  • Right to speak at meetings of the Planning Committee through the Council's Public Speaking schemes, either as an applicant or their agent/supporter, an objector or on behalf of a Parish Council.
  • Right to speak on land matters at meetings of the Policy & Resources Committee through the Council's Public Speaking schemes, either as an applicant or their agent/supporter, an objector or on behalf of a Parish Council.

Access to Information

  • Right to find out what matters will be discussed at meetings of the Council and its committees and sub-committees.
  • Right to see reports and background papers, except those containing confidential or exempt information.
  • Right to find out the decisions made at meetings of the Council and its committees and sub-committees, except those containing confidential or exempt information.
  • Right to see copies of minutes of meetings of the Council and its committees and sub-committees, except those containing confidential or exempt information.

Other Matters

  • Right to complain about Council services.
  • Right to make compliments and comments to the Council about its services.
  • Right to petition the Council on matters relating to the Council's work or of particular concern to the Council through the Council's Petitions Scheme.
  • Right to contact local District Councillors about any matter of concern.
  • Right to complain about District Councillors behaviour.