Citizens' Rights
Citizens have a number of rights in their dealings with the Council. Some of these are legal rights, whilst others depend on the Council's own processes. The local Citizens' Advice Bureau can advise on individuals' legal rights.
Where members of the public use specific council services, for example as a council tenant, they have additional rights.
Citizens have the right to:
- vote at local elections if they are registered;
- contact their local councillor about any matters of concern to them;
- obtain a copy of the Constitution;
- attend meetings of the Council and its committees except where, for example, personal or confidential matters are being discussed;
- petition to request a referendum on a mayoral form of Cabinet;
- participate in the Council's question time and by invitation contribute to investigations by the review committees
- petition the Full Council on a matter which is the Council's responsibility.
- find out, from the Cabinet's forward plan, what key decisions are to be discussed by the Cabinet or decided by the Cabinet or officers, and when;
- attend meetings of the Cabinet where key decisions are being discussed or decided;
- see reports and background papers, and any record of decisions made by the Council and Cabinet;
- complain to the Council if they are dissatisfied with the action or lack of action taken by the Council on a matter which is the Council's responsibility in accordance with the Council's complaints procedure;
- complain to the Ombudsman if they think the Council has not followed its procedures properly. However, they should only do this after using the Council's own complaints process;
- complain to the Standards Board for England if they have evidence which they think shows that a councillor has not followed the Council's Code of Conduct; and
- inspect the Council's accounts and make their views known to the District Auditor.
The Council welcomes participation by its citizens in its work.
For further information on participation with the Council please contact the Council's Policy Office at the Council Offices, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham BN27 2AX (Tel: 01323 443186).
For information on the rights of citizens to inspect documents and attend meetings, please contact Committee Services at the Council Offices, Pine Grove, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1DH (Tel: 01892 - 602578 or e-mail: memberserv@wealden.gov.uk) .
All documents may be inspected at the Pine Grove Office Reception Crowborough during office opening hours 8.30 am to 5pm (Monday to Friday). Most documents are also available for inspection at the Vicarage Lane Office Reception Hailsham (same opening hours).