Wirral Council to press ahead with petitions plan

Mar 31 2010 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

PETITIONS could be used to trigger council debates and even affect policy decisions under new plans about to be brought in by the local authority in Wirral.

Petitions with 5% of the population – about 3,000 – could trigger debates by the council, under the proposals or lead to the council having to hold a public meeting.

A report to the authority's audit and risk management committee said the new petition scheme is part of wider Government legislation intended to improve local democracy.

However, although the petitions element of the new law has been delayed, Wirral Council intends to press ahead with the plans.

The report by director of law Bill Norman recommends that the draft petition scheme be approved next month, and is expected to also make e-petitions available.

Mr Norman said: "A petition must relate to a relevant matter i.e. a council function or an improvement in the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the area to which a partner authority can contribute.

"The draft statutory instrument makes it clear that planning and licensing decisions are to be excluded, as are matters where there is another appeal (e.g. Council tax banding). However, these matters are not excluded if the petition relates to an alleged systematic failure in service provision."