Petition FAQs

Why create a petition?

Petitions submitted to the council inform debate and can have positive outcomes that lead to change. For example, they can:

• Bring an issue to the attention of the council for it to consider
• Demonstrate strong public approval or disapproval to something that the council is doing or proposing to do.

Petitions offer you the opportunity of bringing issues to the council's attention, so that we can consider your requests and, where appropriate and possible, bring about change for the better for the people of Rushcliffe.

How do you submit a petition by post?

You can submit your petition by post to:

Constitutional Services
Rushcliffe Borough Council
Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 7YG

What happens if you submit a petition?

All petitions sent to Rushcliffe Borough Council will receive an acknowledgement from the council within 10 working days of receipt. This acknowledgement will set out what we plan to do with the petition. Please be aware that submitting a petition does not automatically guarantee that the subject of the petition will be acted upon.

Can you attend the meeting when your petition is discussed?

The lead petitioner or spokesperson for the petitioners will be invited to attend the meeting and present their petition. The petition may be referred without discussion to the next appropriate meeting for a report on what action should be taken, or a response may be made at the meeting. If the petition is referred to a future meeting, we will let you know when that meeting will be.

If you are not a petition organiser you may still attend the meeting at which the petition is discussed, but you would not be able to speak.

What about petitions for council debate or requiring officers to give evidence at a public meeting?

Two additional types of petition can be submitted: 

• petitions requiring debate at council – 2,200 signatures are required
• petitions requiring a senior council officer to give evidence at a public meeting about something for which the officer is responsible as part of their job – 2,200 signatures are required.

How can you get help deciding if your issue is suitable for a petition?

Before considering whether or not to raise a petition to Rushcliffe Borough Council, you may want to discuss your issue with your local borough councillor (Member) who may be able to help you with it or explain how to make representations on a particular subject to the right person at the county council. Find out how to contact your local borough councillor.