Petitions

An e-petition is a form of petition posted on a website. Individuals or groups can create a petition on the site and visitors can add their details to the petition to “sign” it. The format makes it easy to collect signatures, and it also makes it easier for us to respond directly via email too. E-petitions and paper petitions require a minimum of 5 signatures to become valid. The Council will only consider e-petitions that are hosted on its website.

We have specific rules about how to respond to e-petitions and paper petitions. Download a copy of the petitions scheme.

We have a duty to respond to all petitions which relate to our work although we have limited powers when it comes to things like the alteration of bus routes. However, we may be able to point you in the right direction if it’s something we can’t help with.

Signing an e-petition

Just click on view petitions, and find the one you wish to sign. You will have to log in or sign up with your name and address details, then, click on 'sign petition' button.

The difference between an e-petition and a paper petition

There is no real difference, only the way in which the signatures are collected and delivered to us. A petition can gather names and signatures in either way, or both forms at the same time. We will treat e-petitions and paper petitions in exactly the same way.

Petition lifespan

You can choose how long your petition will be “live” for (meaning how long your petition will be open to taking signatures, before it is sent off for a response). We would expect that petitions would typically last for around 2 months. After 12 months we will automatically close your petition for signatures and send it for a response.

If your petition relates to something the council is currently dealing with, like a planning application, you should be careful to ensure your petition ends in time for us to consider it at the same time as the issue - if you are in any doubt, you should contact us.

Publishing of personal details

When you sign a petition, we will only publish your name. We take your email address so we can email you to confirm your identity, and we will also email you to let you know the outcome of the petition. Your email address will not be published.

We will not pass on your details to anyone outside the council without your permission. We may pass on the details of the petition organiser to the local ward councillors, in case they can help, or wish to sponsor the petition. We may pass your details to another Coventry city council department, but only in connection with the issues you have raised in the petition.

Getting the support of a ward councillor for my petition. Do I need to have a councillor’s support?

You do not need to have a councillor’s support for your petition, but you may wish to. Councillors are elected to represent the views of the public, and may be able to help you in gathering support for your issue. If you are invited to a meeting to discuss the petition, they may be able to help you put your argument across to those making a decision on your petition.

Our rules about petitions at Planning Committee and those relating to licensing matters (i.e. Premises Licence Applications) are slightly different. To present a petition at Planning Committee, you will need the support of a Councillor. If you have any questions about petitions relating to planning matters – you should contact us.

• Councillors by Ward. Not sure which Ward you live in? Search for your Ward Councillors by postcode.

Speaking at meetings in support of a petition

Once your e-petition has closed for signatures, or when we receive a paper petition, we will look at the issue and decide what form the response will take. We may decide that you will be invited in to speak at one of the Council’s public meetings to put across your concerns – if that is the case, we will email you in advance to let you know when and where the meeting will be held.

The Council's response to a petition

In our Petitions scheme, we have made the commitment that we will host your e-petition within 10 days. If there are any problems, we will email you as soon as possible. Once the petition has closed, on the date you have selected, we will update petitioners on what will happen via this website. It may be that the petitioners receive a letter in response to their concerns from the relevant department or it may be that you are invited to speak at a public meeting at the Council House to highlight your problem to local Councillors, or we may choose to look at your concerns in-depth and conduct an inquiry.

If you wish to call a Senior officer to account over their actions, or you want Councillors to debate your issue at a full Council meeting, your petition will need a minimum number of signatures to reach a particular threshold, as in the table below: