23 June 2010
New rules for petitions
A new scheme for responding to petitions from local people was agreed by Gloucestershire County Council today.
The scheme will give the local community even more involvement in the decision making process as well as the option to present petitions in person at meetings of Full Council. 
The revised scheme follows changes in national legislation on the way councils respond and builds on a successful scheme already in place at the county council. The scheme was supported by all parties at a meeting of Full Council today (23rd June 2010).
Cllr Antonia Noble, Chair of the Constitution Committee, said: “The new scheme means you can now submit petitions online, or if you prefer you can hand them into council meetings in person. This is a much better way of doing things.”
Cllr Ceri Jones, Liberal Democrat Group, said: “We have always welcomed petitions here at Gloucestershire County Council as an important part of the decision making process. The new scheme ensures that wherever you live, councils handle petitions in a fair and consistent way.”
Cllr Steve McHale, Labour Group, said: “I am keen that we have more debate on the issues raised by petitioners, particularly if many people have taken the time to sign them.”
All petitions submitted after 15th June with:
o	Over 5,000 signatures will have a 15 minute debate at Full Council, with the petition organiser having the opportunity to present the petition
o	Over 500 signatures will result in the responsible Cabinet Member and Senior Officer attending Scrutiny Committee to give evidence about the issue
o	Over 25 signatures will have a full response from Gloucestershire County Council within 28 working days, and an acknowledgement in five
·	From December you will be able to submit petitions online at Gloucestershire County Council’s website similar to what you can already do on the Prime Ministers website. Watch out for further details on how do to this nearer the time.
·	Because we are dealing with local issues to Gloucestershire all signatures should come from people who live, study or work in the county on your petitions*.
·	Any petitions relating to planning decisions are dealt with separately by our planning committee process.
For further information on our new Petitions Scheme and detail on how you can submit a petition visit www.gloucesterhire.gov.uk/petitions 
ENDS
Notes to editors
Any petitions received after 15th June will be treated according to the new scheme.
* Gloucestershire County Council’s Monitoring Officer will decide whether or not to accept signatures from people living, working or studying outside the county border where, for example, there is an issue relevant to Gloucestershire and also to an area just outside of the county.
Contact
Issued by Nicola Davies, Gloucestershire County Council Media Team, 01452 427432, nicola.davies@gloucestershire.gov.uk