Have your say

The Council's formal committee structure, and how you can have your say.

The full Council, made up of all councillors, appoints The Executive, a Scrutiny Overview Committee, three Scrutiny Committees, an Audit Committee, Development Control Committee, two Licensing Committees, a Standards Committee and six Local Committees. Councillors from all parties sit on these committees, with the exception of The Executive which only has members from the majority party on it. The Leader of the Council chairs The Executive.

The Executive is the main decision making body. It sets the direction and policies of the Council.

The Scrutiny Overview Committee provides overall leadership of the scrutiny function, including coordination of working parties, holds The Executive to account and provides a leadership and coordination role in deciding the areas that will be subject to a scrutiny review.

The three scrutiny committees have a cross cutting brief to carry out the detailed scrutiny investigations.

The Audit Committee carries out the audit committee function based on guidance received from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

The Licensing Committees are responsible for carrying out functions required under the Licensing Act 2003  and other licensing and registration functions required by other legislation.

The six Local Committees are made up of all councillors in the area concerned. They have powers over local services in those areas.  

The Development Control Committee makes decisions on Planning Applications. Sutton residents may request the right to speak about planning matters directly related to any planning application that is on the agenda for consideration at that meeting. They should notify the Project Manager in writing, or by telephone, by midday on the day of the meeting the item to which they wish to speak. Agendas are available for review at least a week before each Committee meeting. These include Officer Reports. Minutes giving details of planning decisions are made available within one week of each meeting.

The Standards Committee deals with councillors' conduct. Consultative forums involve local interest groups and residents, raise concerns and advise the Council.

Members of The Executive are not allowed to sit on the Scrutiny Committees, the Scrutiny Overview Committee or the Audit Committee.

How can I become involved?

Attend a council meeting, a meeting of your Local Committee, The Executive, the Scrutiny Overview Committee, Audit Committee, Development Control Committee or one of the Scrutiny Committees.

Ask a question, present a petition, or lead a deputation to the Council or a committee meeting (ring or email the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for details).

Contact your local Councillors direct or attend one of their regular surgeries (ring or email the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for details or look in your local library).

Join a local voluntary group (contact Sutton Centre for Voluntary Sector on 020 8770 4861 for further information).

If the future of your environment and community concerns you then you can join one of your Local Agenda 21 groups (contact the Centre for Environmental Initiatives - 020 8770 6611).

Have Your Say

Can anyone come to the meetings?
Meetings are open to the public. Members of the public will be excluded from certain discussions if they are about individuals, commercial issues and other confidential matters.

How do I know when the committees will meet?
The Council regularly publishes posters telling residents where and when its meetings are. A calendar of meetings can also be seen here. You can also contact the Democratic Services Manager on 020 8770 5120. Details are also in your local library and Council offices and on Council notice boards.

How do I present petitions and deputations?
If the petition contains 50 or more signatures from Sutton residents on the electoral roll, a representative of the petitioners will be allowed to address the meeting. Petitions must be with the Chief Executive at least 14 days before the relevant meeting.

Deputations on a matter already on a meeting's agenda must be from a group of at least 10 Sutton residents. Requests must be made in writing to the Chief Executive no later than 10:00am on the day of the meeting, or on the previous day if the committee meets in the morning. The Mayor or the Chair of the meeting will decide whether a representative of a deputation can address the meeting. Petitions and deputations can be considered by full Council, The Executive, Scrutiny Committees, Local Committees and Development Control Committee. Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for advice. 

How do I ask questions at Council and Local Committee meetings?
Sutton residents can ask questions at all ordinary meetings of the full Council and at Local Committee meetings.

Council Meetings

Questions for Council Meetings must be received by the Chief Executive by 10.00 (10 am) on the Tuesday before the meeting. They cannot be submitted more than three weeks before a Council meeting. Thirty minutes are allowed for questions from Sutton residents at the start of the Council meeting.  Questions may only be asked by a Sutton resident or a person who owns or manages a business in Sutton.  Up to two questions may be asked by each person.

Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for more information.

Local Committees

Residents can ask questions or raise issues at Local Committee meetings, with the agreement of the Chair. 

Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5115 for more information.

How do I complain about services?
You can complain about services by letter, phone, fax, e-mail or in person. There is an explanatory leaflet available at local libraries and Council receptions called "How to give your feedback about a Council service".

How do I find out more about what the Council does?
Information can be found in the Sutton Plan. We have also written Action Plans on how we meet our goals.  Details are available from the Communications section on 020 8770 5130.

If you are not sure where or when the Council will take a decision on a matter that interests you, contact the Democratic Services Manager on 020 8770 5120.

Note: Councillors can ask for a decision to be reconsidered by another committee or by the full council.

London Borough of Sutton democratic structure
London Borough of Sutton democratic structure