Councils obliged to respond to petitions under new proposals

Councils will be required to respond to petitions under unprecedented new proposals announced by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Making the announcement on 2 December 2009, Communities Secretary John Denham said for the first time, local people will be able to demand their councils to take action on petitions and address their concerns. These could range from under-performing schools and hospitals to crime prevention, alcohol disorder and ASBOs.

The new duty means councils must act on behalf of local people to address concerns about under-performing services across the board.

Petitions with a significant level of support will further trigger a debate of the full council or require a senior officer to attend the authority's overview and scrutiny committee to answer questions.

Currently, the four key areas covered by petitions are under-performing schools, alcohol-related crime and disorder, under-performing hospitals and anti-social behaviour.

When it comes to anti-social behaviour, the pressure is now on councils more than ever to consider using the wide range of powers available to them such as ASBOs. The Department has highlighted councils are also expected to work with police on actions such as setting response times for complaints about noise or neighbours.

According to the DCLG, under the new proposals no council will be able to ignore a petition or leave it on the shelf because it raises a difficult or challenging issue in the local area.

Every council will also be required to clearly set petition submission guidelines in both paper and electronic formats so people can effectively express their views.

"Councillors are there to fight the corner for local residents and make sure services meet their needs,” Mr Denham said. "We are giving petition power real teeth so people know it's worth taking the time to make their point and get things done."

To obtain the guidance on petitions please visit:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/petitionsresponseconsultation.