Before you submit a petition

What you need to know before you submit a petition, including what to include and how many signatures your petition needs.

If you want to let us know about a concern, you can submit a petition.

Anyone who lives, works or studies in Woking borough can submit a petition to us.

Download guidance on how to submit a petition.

How to submit a petition (PDF, 453.11 KB)

Petition topics

The topic of the petition must be about a:

What you must include in your petition

Your petition must include:

  • a clear and concise statement covering the subject of the petition
  • a statement about what action the petitioners wish us to take
  • the name, address and signature of any person supporting the petition.

Petitions we will not accept

We will not accept a petition where it:

  • is considered to be vexatious, abusive or otherwise inappropriate
  • applies to a planning or licensing application, or is a statutory petition – for example, requesting a referendum on having an elected mayor
  • refers to a decision where there is an existing right of appeal – for example, Council Tax banding and business rates
  • is a duplicate or near duplicate of a similar petition received or submitted within the last 6 months – go to all active and completed petitions

Number of signatures required

Our response depends on the number of signatories to the petition. The table below summarises our standard approach.

The number of signatures on a petition on how we will respond
Number of signatories      Response
Less than 10      Response from officer (treated as standard correspondence).
10 to 99       Response from Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council.
At least 100 Petition is automatically referred to the Executive.
At least 200         Officer(s) called to provide evidence at a meeting of the relevant Scrutiny Committee. This threshold only applies where such action is requested in the petition.
At least 400     Petition is automatically referred to a meeting of Full Council.

Contact us

Before considering whether or not to submit a petition to us, you may want to discuss your issue with your local councillor as they may be able to help you with the issue. 

You can also contact us to discuss your concerns.

Email: democratic.services@woking.gov.uk
Telephone: 01483 755 855