Services
Public participation at meetings
The Parish Council values the views of residents and encourages people to take an active interest in local issues. One of the ways you can engage with the Council is by attending meetings and speaking during the public participation session.
Speaking at Parish Council Meetings
A guide for residents
Attending meetings
Council meetings are open to the public unless confidential business is being considered.
Meeting dates, agendas and papers are published on the Council’s website and noticeboards.
Speaking at a meeting
A public participation session is held at the beginning of each Council meeting.
Residents may speak about matters affecting the parish, raise concerns, or bring issues to the Council’s attention.
To ensure everyone has the opportunity to be heard:
- The public participation session is normally limited to 15 minutes in total.
- Individual speakers are normally limited to 3 minutes.
- The Chair may adjust these arrangements depending on the number of speakers and the business to be considered.
- Where several people wish to speak on the same issue, the Chair may invite them to nominate a spokesperson.
Questions and responses
Councillors and officers will listen carefully to the points raised.
Some questions can be answered immediately. However, many issues require further investigation before a response can be given.
Where appropriate, matters raised may be:
- referred to a future meeting;
- investigated by the Clerk;
- passed to the relevant authority or organisation; or
- responded to outside the meeting.
The Council cannot normally make decisions on matters that are not included on the published agenda.
Standards of conduct
Everyone attending a meeting is expected to behave respectfully and courteously.
The Chair is responsible for ensuring meetings are conducted in an orderly manner and may take appropriate action if behaviour becomes disruptive, abusive or prevents the meeting from proceeding.
Complaints
The public participation session is not a complaints hearing. Formal complaints about the Council, its procedures or services should be submitted using the Council’s Complaints Procedure.
Other ways to engage
You do not have to wait for a Council meeting to raise an issue. Residents can also:
- contact the Parish Clerk;
- write or email the Council;
- respond to consultations and surveys;
- attend community events and engagement activities; and
- speak with their local councillors.
Contact us
Parish Clerk – parish-clerk@laverstockford-pc.gov.uk
Office number: 01722 433881
We look forward to hearing your views and working with residents to help make our parish an even better place to live, work and visit.