Cardiff Petitions and Public Questions Procedure

Technology and Data Wales 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 12, 2026 Flag of Wales

Introduction

This guide explains the procedure for petitions and public questions at Cardiff Council meetings, with practical steps for residents of Cardiff, Wales. It covers how to submit e-petitions, who may ask public questions, meeting deadlines, the responsible office, and what to expect at committee or full council meetings. Where official pages set rules or forms, this guide points to those Cardiff Council pages for the controlling text and contact details.[1]

Check the council's published petition criteria before collecting signatures.

How the procedure works

Cardiff Council operates a petitions scheme and rules for public questions set out in its constitution and related committee practice notes. The scheme describes who may submit a petition, basic thresholds or requirements for debate, and the process for asking a public question at a meeting; details and submission links are provided on the council's petitions page and in the constitution.[1][2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Penalties and formal enforcement measures for misuse of the petitions or public question process are not described in the petitions page or the constitution in monetary terms; the official pages do not specify fines for petition or question breaches. Where conduct rules apply, the council may use meeting powers and procedure rules to refuse or remove a speaker or to disallow a submission. Specific monetary fines or daily penalties are not specified on the cited pages.[2]

  • Enforcer: Democratic Services / Committee Services oversee petitions and public questions and manage meeting procedures; contact details are on the council site.
  • Appeal/review: challenge is by raising the matter with Committee Services or by following any review route in the constitution; exact time limits are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: refusal to accept a question, removal from a meeting, referral to a committee, or an order under meeting procedure rules.
  • Defences/discretion: the chair and monitoring officer exercise discretion under standing orders and the constitution.
If you are told your petition or question is out of scope, request the precise clause in the constitution relied on.

Applications & Forms

The council publishes an e-petition submission route and guidance on the petitions page; the petitions page links to the online form and explains any signature thresholds or presentation arrangements. The constitution describes public question rules and the committee process for handling submissions. Fees are not stated and no official form numbers are given on the cited pages.

Practical steps and timelines

  • Check eligibility and whether the matter is within the council's remit.
  • Submit your e-petition using the online petitions form linked from the council page.[1]
  • Observe the submission deadlines for the relevant committee or council meeting as set out in meeting papers or the constitution.
  • Contact Democratic Services if you need to ask a public question or arrange to speak; contact details are provided by the council.
Council officers will confirm receipt and advise which meeting will consider a petition or question.

How-To

  1. Check the Cardiff Council petitions page for eligibility and guidance and use the online petition form if available.[1]
  2. Draft a clear petition or question, including the action requested and relevant facts.
  3. Submit via the e-petition form or via the contact route specified for public questions, and note any published deadlines.
  4. Gather signatures if required by the scheme and notify the council contact if you intend to speak at a meeting.
  5. Attend the meeting or ask to present according to the committee instructions; follow the chair's directions and the constitution's public speaking rules.[2]

FAQ

Who can submit a petition to Cardiff Council?
Any individual or organisation that meets the eligibility criteria on the council's petitions page may submit a petition; check the council page for specific requirements.[1]
Are there fees to submit a petition or ask a public question?
No fees are specified on the official petitions or constitution pages; the council pages do not list any application charges.
How do I appeal a decision to refuse my question or petition?
Appeal or review routes are managed through Democratic Services and the constitution's procedure rules; exact time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Use the council's published e-petition form and guidance before collecting signatures.
  • Contact Democratic Services for help with public questions and meeting arrangements.

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