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Guide to the petitions scheme

How we deal with petitions

We welcome petitions and we recognise that they are just one of many ways in which you can let us know about your concerns and participate in the democratic process. The guidance below summarises our petitions scheme and it applies to all petitions submitted that fall within the scheme. 

Petitions are not the only way to resolve an issue or to make your views known. You could also:

  • contact the relevant service or officer directly
  • contact your local ward councillor
  • contact the relevant Executive Member
  • ask a scrutiny committee to look into the matter
  • make a complaint to us

If you submit a petition, it should:

  • include a clear and short statement about what the petition is about
  • state clearly that the petition is directed at Manchester City Council
  • clearly identify the petition organiser
  • relate to a function that is within the Council’s powers or duties
  • say clearly what you want us to do

People signing your petition can be any age and should provide an address which shows that they live work or study in Manchester.

Petition organiser

The petition organiser is the person we will contact about the petition. We will not be able to deal with your petition if we are not able to identify a petition organiser. They will need to provide their full contact details including an address for correspondence. 

Sending in your petition

Petitions can also be submitted to the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit at Room 405, The Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, M60 2LA or via email at petitions@manchester.gov.uk.

Petitions can be submitted directly to the relevant service area, local councillor or via an officer.

You can create an electronic petition online. If you are submitting a combined paper and electronic petition, these should be submitted at the same time.

What happens next?

Will will send an acknowledgment to the petition organiser within ten working days of receipt. The acknowledgement will include details about how the petition will be dealt with under the scheme and where possible, we will provide information about any action we plan to take in response to your petition.

How will we respond to your petition

Our response will depend on what your petition asks for and how many people have signed it. 

Petitions thresholds

Category

Brief description

Signature threshold

Petitions requiring debate

Any petition above the threshold that will trigger a debate at a full Council meeting

 4000

Petition 

Any petition above the threshold which will trigger a debate at a scrutiny committee

 1000

Ordinary petition

Any other, non excluded, petition, requesting action or response within six weeks

 100

Petitions falling below the threshold for requiring a response within six weeks will be passed to the relevant service area for a response.

Some petitions are excluded from the scheme and will be dealt with differently. For example, we will not take steps in response to your petition if it is vexatious, abusive, cause offence or considered inappropriate. Other exemptions from the scheme include: 

  • petitions relating to planning or licensing applications
  • where there is a statutory right to appeal 
  • if it does not relate to a function carried out by the Council 

For the full list of exceptions, please refer to section 3.2 of the petitions scheme.

Contacts

If you have any queries, contact the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit at council.petitions@manchester.gov.uk or call 0161 234 3011.

Download the full petitions scheme and guidance on how to sign a petition.

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