CivAccount

CivAccount

How to Influence Your Council

Your council makes decisions that affect your daily life — from bin collection to school places. Here are practical ways to have your say.

Attend council meetings

Open to the public

Most council meetings are open to the public. You can sit in the public gallery and watch councillors debate and vote on decisions.

Types of meetings

Full council — All councillors meet to vote on major decisions like the budget. Usually 4-6 times per year.
Cabinet — The leader and cabinet members make executive decisions. Usually monthly.
Scrutiny committees — Review and challenge cabinet decisions. Can call in decisions for reconsideration.
Planning committees — Decide on planning applications. Open to public speaking (usually 3 minutes for/against).

Many councils now livestream meetings and publish recordings. Check your council's website for dates and agendas.

Contact your councillor

They work for you

Your ward councillor represents you on the council. They can raise issues on your behalf, ask questions at meetings, and lobby for changes.

How to get in touch

  1. Find your councillor on your council's website (search by postcode)
  2. Email them directly — most councillors publish their email address
  3. Attend a surgery — councillors hold regular drop-in sessions in their ward
  4. Write a formal letter to the council offices

Be specific about what you want and why. Councillors receive many messages, so a clear, concise email is more effective than a long one.

Submit a freedom of information request

Your right to know

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you have the right to request any information held by the council. They must respond within 20 working days.

How to make a request

  1. Check if the information is already published (many councils have transparency pages)
  2. Email the council's FOI team or use their online form
  3. Be specific about what information you want
  4. You do not need to explain why you want it

Common FOI requests

  • Staff salary bands and senior pay
  • Contracts with suppliers and their value
  • Spending on specific services
  • Internal reports and decision papers
  • Complaints data and response times

If the council refuses your request, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk (opens in new tab).

Respond to consultations

Have your say on plans and policies

Councils are required to consult residents on many decisions, including the annual budget, planning applications, and major service changes.

Key consultations each year

Budget consultation — December to February. Your chance to influence spending priorities.
Local Plan — Major planning document that shapes development for 15+ years. Consulted on every few years.
Service changes — Councils must consult before closing libraries, changing bin collections, or cutting services.

Check your council's website for current consultations. Many also advertise them on social media.

Start or sign a petition

Collective action

Most councils have a petitions scheme. If enough people sign, the council must respond formally.

Standard petition — The council must acknowledge and respond in writing.
Debate threshold — Usually 1,500+ signatures triggers a full council debate.
Officer response threshold — Usually 500+ signatures gets a formal officer report.

You can also use CivAccount's Town Hall feature to propose ideas and vote on budget priorities for your council.

Stand for election

Become a councillor

Anyone aged 18 or over who is a British citizen (or qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen) and lives or works in the council area can stand for election.

Requirements

  • Be 18 or older on the day of nomination
  • Be a British, Irish, Commonwealth, or EU citizen
  • Live, work, or own property in the council area
  • Not be disqualified (e.g., bankrupt, certain criminal convictions)

You can stand as a member of a political party or as an independent. Contact the Electoral Commission (opens in new tab) for guidance on the nomination process.

Common questions

About local democracy

Can I attend council meetings?

Yes. Full council meetings and most committee meetings are open to the public. Many councils also livestream meetings online. You can find meeting dates on your council's website, usually under "meetings" or "democracy".

How do I contact my councillor?

Find your councillor on your council's website by entering your postcode. You can usually email them directly. Councillors hold regular surgeries where you can meet them in person.

What is a freedom of information request?

A freedom of information (FOI) request lets you ask for any information held by the council. They must respond within 20 working days. You can submit requests by email or through the council's website. Common requests include spending data, contracts, and decision documents.

How do I object to a planning application?

Find the application on your council's planning portal. You can submit comments (for or against) during the consultation period, usually 21 days. Your comment must relate to planning grounds (like impact on neighbours, traffic, or character of the area), not personal objections.

Can I petition the council?

Yes. Most councils have a petitions scheme. If your petition reaches a certain number of signatures (often 1,500+), it must be debated at a full council meeting. Some councils accept e-petitions online.

How can I influence the council budget?

Councils consult on their budget each year, usually between December and February. You can respond to the consultation, attend budget meetings, or contact your councillor directly. CivAccount's Town Hall feature also lets you vote on budget priorities.