Speaking at council meetings

You may ask to speak at most council meetings including Full Council, the Planning and Regulatory Committee, the Cabinet and Policy and Scrutiny Committees. You must be a resident, a business ratepayer or entitled to vote in North Somerset.

You must email or write to democratic services with your name and address and the subject you wish to speak about. We must receive this by noon on the day before the meeting. If you wish to speak about a planning application, we also need to know if you wish to speak in support or against the application.

You will usually have five minutes to speak, but this may be reduced if there are more than six people who want to speak. You do not normally have to provide a transcript in advance but sometimes the chairman may ask for one for legal reasons.

Usually only two speakers are allowed for each planning application, one in support and one against. You will need to agree a spokesperson with other supporters or objectors. 

If you cannot agree, the chairman will select a spokesperson. You will usually have four minutes to speak but where there are a large number of speakers the chairman may reduce the time allowed.

You will usually have three minutes to speak, at the discretion of the chairman. The Cabinet will hear up to four people.

You will usually have five minutes to speak, at the discretion of the chairman.

You can find more information on the individual meeting process by selecting the meeting you wish to attend.