Petitions

What is a petition?

One of the easiest and most popular ways for members of the public to engage in the democratic process is to sign a petition. A petition is a method of petitioning your local council to take action on issues or services that it has the power or duty to change and for bringing issues to the attention of our Councillors. A petition is set up by downloading and filling in a simple form and then seeking the support of others (note: a paper copy of the form can be posted to you).

Download and print a petition form

What can my petition relate to?

Before creating your petition, please refer to our criteria and procedures. These detail the criteria that require to be met along with other key information on the scope and purpose of petitions.

Submitting a petition

Your completed form should be submitted to us, contact details are on this page, or by delivering it to John Muir House in Haddington. They may contact you to discuss your petition before taking it forward with council officers. It is the responsibility of the lead petitioner to promote their petition and to invite other people to add their support.

What information do I need to provide?

Your petition will need to include a title, the petition details, including a clear statement of the action you would like the council to take, the actions already taken to resolve the issue and lead petitioner name and contact details.

Who can sign a petition?

Anyone can sign a petition; all we need from you is your name and address. Any personal details you provide will be held only by East Lothian Council. Your details will not be used for any purposes other than in relation to the petition that you have signed.

What happens once a petition has been submitted?

Your petition will be acknowledged within 5 working days, and the Clerk to the Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee may contact you to discuss your petition.  Your petition will then be checked by council officers to ensure it meets competency criteria and you will be notified of the outcome of these checks.

The Clerk to the Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee will work with relevant council officers to seek to resolve the issue(s) outlined in the petition. Petitions will only be referred to the Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee if the issue(s) cannot be resolved by other means. 

Should the petition be referred to the Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee, you will be advised of the date of the meeting and you will be invited to attend and present your petition in person. You will be given 5 minutes to present to the Committee members, following which the Committee will be invited to ask you questions about your petition.

Confirmation of the outcome of the meeting will be emailed to you within 5 working days of the meeting.

The role of the Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee

The Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Committee is made up of the Provost, who is the Convener, and the leaders of all political groups.  Where it has not been possible to resolve a petition by other means, the Committee shall consider the merits of the petition.  Where the Committee considers that action should be taken in respect of a petition, it shall refer the matter to the appropriate committee or chief officer for further consideration and possible implementation.

Submission deadline

To allow time for competency checking, referral to the relevant service area, and production of officer reports and meeting papers, a petition must be submitted at least one month in advance of the next scheduled Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Commitee meeting.  The dates of upcoming meetings can be found below.

Petitions and Community Empowerment Review Comittee meeting dates