Meetings and public comment: United Kingdom.

A take-home sheet for people at the session. Other countries: United States · Canada · Australia.

Moraph for Good · Voice

Meetings and public comment: United Kingdom

Handout · moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment

Public meetings are where many local decisions are made, and many of them take comments from residents. This sheet covers how to follow a meeting and have your say.

Before the meeting

Find the agenda and papers on the body’s website.
Check how it takes comments: in person, in writing or online.
Check if you need to sign up in advance, and any time limit.

A two-minute comment

Name the agenda item.
Say who you are and your connection to the area.
Say how it affects you and what you’d like to happen.
Be courteous, and thank them.

Writing to decision makers

One issue per message, with the topic in the subject line.
Say clearly what you would like them to do.
Keep it short and keep a copy.

Afterwards

Read the minutes to see what was decided.
Follow up in writing if you have more to add.
For voting questions, use only your official election office.

In the United Kingdom

Papers before every meeting (England). Every council must publish details of when key decisions will be taken, meeting papers at least 5 working days beforehand, and minutes showing the decisions made. You can attend most council meetings, although usually you will not be able to speak at them.
The law on open meetings. Under the Local Government Act 1972, meetings of principal councils are open to the public, except for items where the public is excluded, for example where confidential information would be disclosed. The agenda and reports must be open to inspection at least five clear days before the meeting, with exceptions for meetings called at shorter notice.
Filming and reporting. The Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 let members of the public film, audio-record, blog and tweet the proceedings of council meetings, and see information about significant decisions made by officers outside meetings.
Your councillors. Local councillors are elected for 4-year terms to represent the local community. They must declare interests, gifts and hospitality that could influence their decisions, and the council must publish these.
If something goes wrong. Use the council’s complaints procedure first. If that doesn’t resolve it, you may be able to go to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Official places to check:

GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/decision-making
legislation.gov.uk: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/70/section/100A
legislation.gov.uk: www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/70/section/100B
GOV.UK (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government): www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-and-accountable-local-government-plain-english-guide
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/local-councillors-and-elections
GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works/make-a-complaint

General information, not advice about your own situation. Checked 19 October 2026. If an official source says something different, it is right. Free to copy and adapt. moraph.org/commons/sessions/voice/meetings-and-public-comment