You don’t need experience of council meetings or a formally written speech. Your knowledge of the town, your experiences and your suggestions can help councillors understand what matters to the people who live and work here.
If you haven’t taken part before, here is how it works.
1. Plan your visit
Visit the Council website’s meeting calendar and check the relevant agenda for the date, time and venue. Public participation normally takes place at 7pm immediately before the formal meeting begins. Full Council meetings are always on the second Tuesday of the month.
2. Book your place to speak
Contact the Clerk’s office in advance by emailing [email protected], calling 01458 831769, or visiting the Council reception desk in the Information Centre.
Speaking slots are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please get in touch early. Let staff know what you would like to raise. They can advise whether it relates to the Town Council’s work or whether another organisation is better placed to help.
3. Think about what you would like to say
Each speaker normally has up to three minutes, within a public participation session lasting 15 minutes overall. The Mayor or meeting chair may extend the time at their discretion.
A few notes can help you make the most of your time. Explain the issue, describe how it affects you or the community, and finish with the question you would like answered or the action you would like the Council to consider. You are welcome to prepare something to read aloud.
4. Make your contribution
When invited to speak, direct your comments to the Mayor or meeting chair. Speak clearly and allow others their turn. The meeting rules allow you to remain seated if standing would cause discomfort or because of a disability.
5. Understand what happens next
Councillors will hear your contribution, but you may not receive an immediate answer. Public participation does not automatically begin a debate, and the Council’s meeting notice explains that no resolution for action is taken during this session. The subject you raise will be noted, although the minutes do not need to contain a word-for-word account.
There is a process for following up. In May 2026, the Council agreed to consider matters raised during public participation for discussion at a subsequent Full Council meeting or the relevant committee, as appropriate, and to provide a response to the speaker. Where an issue falls outside the Town Council’s responsibilities, staff should direct you towards the organisation that can help.
An item on October’s Full Council agenda also provides for an update on previous public participation and actions. If you have spoken and are unsure where your enquiry has reached, contact the Council office and ask for an update.
Whether you bring a suggestion, a concern or a question, we welcome your contribution. Taking part helps councillors hear directly from the community they serve.
