At some time, most of us feel strongly about an issue affecting us, our families, or our communities. You can always contact your councillor to talk about your concerns.
But did you know you have the right to address local council meetings yourself?
Mr Davis is planning to address a council meeting: "I'm hoping that I can persuade the council to reroute the bus service that goes along the main road and take it through the centre of our village."
It's important the council knows what local people think. So most meetings include a short period for members of the public to speak about items – you’re usually allowed up to five minutes.
(Mr Davis attends a council meeting...)
Meeting chair: "I call on Mr Tim Davis to make his representation to the committee."
Mr Davis: "Good morning, Madam Chair, Councillors. I would like to ask the council about the possibility of rerouting the number 7a bus service and taking it though Bentley village to give us a direct service into Needham. Many of our residents both young and old who need a bus service to travel to work, to the leisure and medical facilities there and local shops. And so I would ask the council to give very serious consideration to these concerns."
Meeting chair: "Thank you, Mr Davis, for your contribution. Does anyone have any questions?"
Councillor: "Yes, I have one quick question. Mr Davis, what arrangements at the moment do residents have to travel to Needham?"
Mr Davis: "Oh, they have to walk to the main road which is a considerable distance..."
(After the meeting...)
Interviewer: "So how did that go?"
Mr Davis: "Better than I expected. Yes, I was quite pleased. They were very friendly, very responsive. It made me realise the importance of members of the public coming and talking to their councillors. After all, we want them to do the best for us and how can they do that unless they know what we want?"
Even if you don't like public speaking or can't go to the meeting in person, you can make your views known through a petition or a written submission. This is simply a written version of your views which the meeting will consider.
The best way of finding out about which meeting to talk to and when they meet is by contacting the council by phone or email. Or you can view meeting agendas on our website or at the main council office.
Mr Davis: "Well, I'm representing the members of our community. And it's up to people like me to come and tell the councils what we want them to do. It is our council after all."
Whatever your concern, it's really important to get your views heard.
It's your voice. Use It
At some time, most of us feel strongly about an issue affecting us, our families, or our communities. You can always contact your councillor to talk about your concerns.
But did you know you have the right to address local council meetings yourself?
Mr Davis is planning to address a council meeting: "I'm hoping that I can persuade the council to reroute the bus service that goes along the main road and take it through the centre of our village."
It's important the council knows what local people think. So most meetings include a short period for members of the public to speak about items – you’re usually allowed up to five minutes.
(Mr Davis attends a council meeting...)
Meeting chair: "I call on Mr Tim Davis to make his representation to the committee."
Mr Davis: "Good morning, Madam Chair, Councillors. I would like to ask the council about the possibility of rerouting the number 7a bus service and taking it though Bentley village to give us a direct service into Needham. Many of our residents both young and old who need a bus service to travel to work, to the leisure and medical facilities there and local shops. And so I would ask the council to give very serious consideration to these concerns."
Meeting chair: "Thank you, Mr Davis, for your contribution. Does anyone have any questions?"
Councillor: "Yes, I have one quick question. Mr Davis, what arrangements at the moment do residents have to travel to Needham?"
Mr Davis: "Oh, they have to walk to the main road which is a considerable distance..."
(After the meeting...)
Interviewer: "So how did that go?"
Mr Davis: "Better than I expected. Yes, I was quite pleased. They were very friendly, very responsive. It made me realise the importance of members of the public coming and talking to their councillors. After all, we want them to do the best for us and how can they do that unless they know what we want?"
Even if you don't like public speaking or can't go to the meeting in person, you can make your views known through a petition or a written submission. This is simply a written version of your views which the meeting will consider.
The best way of finding out about which meeting to talk to and when they meet is by contacting the council by phone or email. Or you can view meeting agendas on our website or at the main council office.
Mr Davis: "Well, I'm representing the members of our community. And it's up to people like me to come and tell the councils what we want them to do. It is our council after all."
Whatever your concern, it's really important to get your views heard.
It's your voice. Use It
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