Submitting Petitions & Public Questions - Liverpool Bylaws

Utilities and Infrastructure England 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of England

This guide explains how to submit petitions and public questions to Liverpool City Council in Liverpool, England. It outlines who can submit, where to send requests, typical deadlines and behavioural rules at meetings, and practical steps to increase the chance your matter is heard. The procedures below draw on Liverpool City Council’s official petitions information and the council constitution so you can follow the correct channels and reach the right office for support and review.

Check the council's petitions page for any published thresholds or online forms before you start.

Who can submit and what counts

Local residents, community groups, and organisations may submit petitions or ask public questions at council meetings where the council’s rules allow public participation. The council’s petitions guidance describes eligible subjects and the standard routes for submission, including any e-petition process that the council operates.Petitions guidance[1]

Procedure overview

  • Find the relevant meeting or committee and note the deadline for lodging a question or petition.
  • Prepare a clear petition statement or a concise public question describing the action requested.
  • Submit by the method specified (online form, email, or post) and include contact details so Democratic Services can confirm receipt.
  • Await confirmation of acceptance and any allocation to an agenda or a committee meeting.
  • Be prepared to present or to have a councillor speak on behalf of the petition if the scheme requires a spokesperson.

Penalties & Enforcement

Rules for petitions and public questions are set out in the council constitution and associated guidance. The constitution contains the Council Procedure Rules governing public participation, conduct at meetings and the powers to refuse or remove disruptive participants. Specific monetary fines for procedural breaches related to petitions or questions are not specified on the cited pages; the constitution instead describes procedural remedies and the roles of officers responsible for enforcing meeting order.Council constitution and procedure rules[2]

  • Enforcement authority: Monitoring Officer, Democratic Services and meeting chair (councillor) for behaviour and procedural compliance.
  • Typical sanctions: refusal to accept a petition, exclusion from speaking, removal from the meeting, or referral of conduct matters to the Monitoring Officer.
  • Fines or monetary penalties for submitting petitions/questions are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Appeals or reviews: the constitution and council complaints procedure set internal review routes; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.
If your petition is refused, contact Democratic Services promptly to request reasons and the review route.

Applications & Forms

The council publishes guidance on how to submit petitions and whether an online petition form or e-petition portal is available; the petitions guidance page is the primary place to find any current forms or templates.Petitions guidance[1] If a specific submission form is not shown on that page, the page will typically give the email or postal address to use for Democratic Services.

Action steps

  • Draft a concise petition statement or question and check the petitions guidance page for format requirements.
  • Note the submission deadline for the relevant meeting and submit early to allow confirmation and any required verification.
  • Contact Democratic Services to confirm receipt and to ask whether the matter will be scheduled.
  • If a decision is unfavourable, follow the council’s internal complaints or review process and seek written reasons.

FAQ

Who can submit a petition or public question?
Residents, local groups and organisations can normally submit; see the council petitions guidance for eligibility and acceptable subjects.
How do I submit my petition or question?
Follow the instructions and any online form on the council petitions page or contact Democratic Services for the correct submission route.
What happens if my petition is refused?
The council constitution describes procedural remedies and referral routes; request written reasons from Democratic Services and follow the complaints process if needed.

How-To

  1. Check the Liverpool City Council petitions guidance page for current submission methods and any thresholds.
  2. Draft your petition or question clearly, include a requested outcome, and gather any supporting signatures or evidence required.
  3. Submit by the specified route (online form, email or post) and keep confirmation of receipt from Democratic Services.
  4. If allocated to a meeting, prepare a short statement and follow the public participation rules at the meeting.
  5. If refused or unsatisfied with the outcome, use the council’s complaints or review channels to seek further action.

Key Takeaways

  • Start at the Liverpool petitions guidance page to confirm formats and any online form.
  • Observe deadlines and contact Democratic Services for confirmation of acceptance.
  • Use the constitution and complaints process if you need a review of a procedural decision.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Liverpool - Petitions guidance
  2. [2] City of Liverpool - Council constitution and procedure rules

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