Agenda item - E Petitions

Extract from the Governance Committee Meeting held on the 22 September 2009 together with a report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copies attached).

22.1       Councillor Oxley introduced the report and formerly moved the recommendations.  He welcomed the proposal to enable the submission of E petitions through the council’s website and hoped that it would provide another avenue for public involvement in the democratic process.

22.2       Members of the council welcomed the report and the intention to develop alternative mechanisms for public involvement.  It was also felt that the request made at the Governance Committee for Ward Members to be informed of any e petitions and their consideration at an appropriate meeting should be incorporated into the working practices for the management of e petitions.

22.3       Councillor Oxley noted that it was intended to review the process at the March Governance Committee meeting, as it was anticipated that government guidance would be issued following the enactment of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill that was currently before Parliament, which placed a requirement on all local authorities to offer such a facility.  He hoped that by having the pilot project, lessons would be learnt and any changes incorporated in line with the guidance that would be forthcoming.

22.4       The Mayor noted that the recommendations had been moved and put them to the vote which was carried.

22.5       RESOLVED:

(1)       That the launch of an e-petitions facility with effect from 21 November 2009 for Brighton & Hove City Council for a trial period be approved, and a further report on the outcome of the pilot be brought to Governance Committee on 9 March 2010;

(2)       That it be noted the pilot period would be shorter if the provisions relating to e-petitions in the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Bill come into force prior to the review date;

(3)       That the e-petitions guidance attached at Appendix One to the report be agreed;

(4)       That the Head of Law be authorised to take all steps necessary to implement the e-petitions facility, including making any necessary amendments to the Council’s Constitution.