Taking a deputation to a council meeting

You can find out when the next meeting will take place by:

• looking on the ModernGov website
• emailing constitutional.team@southwark.gov.uk 
• calling 020 7525 7055

You must email your request to the relevant constitutional team officer no later than three clear working days before the day of the meeting.

Include an outline of:

• what you want to cover in your deputation 
• the name and address of the person who will speak at the council meeting

We’ll let you know once we receive this and send you details of what happens before, during and after the meeting.

Changes to the constitution now allow deputations to be taken on late and urgent items at cabinet meetings that have been added to the agenda after the usual deadline for deputations. 

At the meeting, the leader, or in his/her absence, the deputy leader has the discretion to decide whether or not to accept a late and urgent deputation. The process above must be used for deputations on late and urgent items.

The council meeting can decide whether or not to receive the deputation.

At council assembly meetings, a maximum of three deputations can be considered at any one meeting, and no more than three on one item.

Deputations to be considered will be determined on the basis of the date and time they are received until the maximum number is reached.

Deputations will not be considered if it concerns a current planning or licensing application. Any such representations should be addressed to the appropriate planning or licensing officers for consideration.

Council members are not allowed to debate the deputation with members of the deputation.

The chair of the meeting will ask councillors to hear the deputation. If you agree, you’ll be invited to speak for up to five minutes. 

Prepare what you want to say in advance so that you can get across all the points you want to make. 

Councillors may ask some questions afterwards so it's worth preparing any answers. Any member of the deputation can respond.

Although you cannot take part in any debate that follows, you may be invited to stay and listen.

The constitutional team will write to you with the decision of the council meeting.

You can contact the constitutional team by:

• emailing constitutional.team@southwark.gov.uk 

• calling 020 7525 7055