HAVE YOUR SAY ONLINE

Thanet residents can now go online to have their say and submitpetitions about issues that concern them. Petitions can still be submitted by paper, but the new ePetitioninitiative allows people to visit the council’s website atwww.thanet.gov.uk and submit a petition electronically. To submit anePetition, you will need to register, providing your name and e-mailaddress. If you have already signed up to the council’s subscribe toupdates feature, which allows you to receive e-mails on councilcommittees, then you will be able to use your existing user name andpassword. All petitions need to include: ● A clear and concise statement on the subject of the petition. ● What action the petitioners want the council to take. ● The name and signature of anyone supporting the petition.ePetitions are available for signing electronically. The council’s response to a petition will depend on what it asks forand how many people sign it. There are a number of things the councilcan do in response, which include taking the action requested,considering the petition at a meeting, holding a meeting with thepetitioners or holding an inquiry into the matter. Recent petitions submitted to the council covered a range of subjects,including town centre shopping, parks and CCTV. Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: “Signing a petitionor an e-petition is one of the many ways that local people can maketheir views known to the council. With the introduction of our newe-petitions system, your petition can now be available to a potentiallymuch wider audience, than the traditional paper based system.”Paper petitions can be submitted to Democratic Services and ScrutinyManager, Thanet District Council, PO Box 9, Cecil Street, Margate, CT91XZ. If you would like to speak to someone about submitting a petition,please contact the Democratic Services team on 01843 577500.