Lodging Petitions & Public Questions - Glasgow Council

Utilities and Infrastructure Scotland 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 11, 2026 Flag of Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland residents and organisations may present petitions or ask public questions at Glasgow City Council meetings under the council's meeting procedures. This guide explains who can submit, how to prepare a petition or question, procedural deadlines, the office that handles submissions, and how decisions and appeals are processed. It summarises forms, contacts and practical steps so you can make an effective submission to committee or full council while meeting the council's requirements.

Who may submit and what counts as a petition or public question

A petition is a written request signed by members of the public asking the council to take action or review a matter. A public question is a short question put to councillors at a public meeting under the council's public questions procedure. Individual eligibility and scope are set by the council's meeting rules; requests must normally relate to matters within the council's powers.

Check the council's published guidance before preparing a petition or question.

How to submit a petition

Prepare a clear statement of the request, include names/signatures as required by the council, and submit to the Committee Services or Democratic Services team by the stated deadline. The council publishes guidance on lodging petitions and any required addresses or online forms on its official petitions page Petitions guidance[1]. Follow formatting, signature and delivery rules on that page.

  • Format: clear statement, purpose and requested outcome.
  • Signatures: include required names and contact details if requested.
  • Deadlines: submit by the date set for the meeting cycle on the petitions page.
  • Submission: email or post to Committee Services as listed on the official guidance.
Petitions that are defamatory, vexatious or outside council competence may be refused.

How to ask a public question

Public questions are normally short and must follow the council's standing orders for public questions at council and committee meetings; required notice periods, time limits and scope are set out in the council's public questions guidance Public questions guidance[2]. Submit the question in writing and indicate the meeting you wish it to appear at.

  • Notice period: submit within the timeframe set by standing orders.
  • Content limits: concise single issue questions preferred.
  • Meeting selection: request which committee or full council meeting should receive the question.
  • Response: a written answer or an oral answer at the meeting may be provided.

Penalties & Enforcement

The council's procedural rules govern admissibility and conduct; formal criminal or financial penalties are not typically applied for filing petitions or questions. Specific fines or monetary penalties for breach of meeting procedure are not detailed on the cited guidance pages and are not specified on the cited page Public questions guidance[2].

  • Sanctions: refusal to accept or to call a petition/question at a meeting.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: suspension of speaking rights, exclusion from the public gallery, or referral to legal services for vexatious material.
  • Enforcer: Committee Services / Democratic Services administer procedures and make admissibility decisions; contact details are on the council site.
  • Inspection/complaint: complaints about process are handled via the council's complaints channels.

Escalation and repeat offences: the cited council pages do not specify escalating monetary fines or tiers for repeat procedural breaches and therefore state "not specified on the cited page" for fine ranges and escalation.[2]

Applications & Forms

The council publishes the required petition and public question forms or submission instructions on its petitions and meetings guidance pages. If no specific downloadable form is provided, a written signed petition or emailed written question is accepted per the instructions on the official pages.[1][2]

  • Form name/number: if provided, will appear on the petitions or public questions pages; where not provided the guidance states how to submit in writing.
  • Fees: none specified on the council guidance pages.
  • Deadlines: see the specific meeting cycle dates on the council pages.
If a form is not listed, submit a clear written statement following the published guidance.

Practical action steps

  • Draft your petition or question concisely and check scope against council powers.
  • Collect signatures if required and scan a copy for email submission.
  • Submit to Committee Services or Democratic Services by the published deadline.
  • If refused, request written reasons and use the council complaints or review route within the timescale stated by Committee Services.

FAQ

Who can submit a petition to Glasgow City Council?
Any resident, community group or organisation affected by council services, subject to the council's admissibility rules and standing orders.
Do I need a form to submit a public question?
Not always; the council's public questions guidance explains whether a specific form is provided or a written submission is sufficient.[2]
What happens if my petition is refused?
The council will normally give reasons and you can request review via Committee Services or the council complaints process.

How-To

  1. Check the council petitions and public questions guidance pages to confirm eligibility and deadlines.
  2. Draft your petition or question clearly, keeping to permitted topics and word limits.
  3. Complete any required form or prepare a signed written document as instructed on the council page.
  4. Submit to Committee Services / Democratic Services by email or post before the stated deadline.
  5. Attend the meeting if asked to present, or await the council's written response and follow appeal/complaint routes if needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Meet the published deadlines for petitions and public questions.
  • Follow the council's guidance for format and submission method.
  • Contact Committee Services or Democratic Services for clarification before submitting.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Glasgow City Council - Petitions guidance
  2. [2] Glasgow City Council - Public questions and council meeting guidance

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