Get involved in decision making

Find out how to get involved in decisions about local services, including taking part in consultations and petitions, attending and speaking at committee meetings, watching committee meetings live and joining our Let’s Talk engagement portal.

Asking questions at council and committee meetings

Before the start of formal business at Full Council meetings, 30 minutes will be set aside for questions. This will also happen at certain committee meetings (different time limits apply).

Get full details in Procedure Rule 17 of the Constitution

You cannot ask questions: 

  • at the annual meeting of the Council in May
  • at meetings which agree the budget or the Council Tax
  • at extraordinary meetings where there is only one substantive item on the agenda

Deadline for questions at committee meetings

The deadline for questions depends on the meeting.

Full Council

At 12 noon, 7 clear working days before the day of the meeting

Strategic committees, Kingston Partnership Board, Health Overview Panel and Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

2 clear working days before the day of the meeting.

Neighbourhood committees

You do not need to let us know in advance. It would be helpful to let us know by 10 am on the working day before the day of the meeting.

How many questions you can ask

Full Council

One question per person or organisation per meeting

Strategic committees, Kingston Partnership Board, Health Overview Panel and Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

No more than 2 questions per person

Neighbourhood committees

You can ask any number of questions (within reason)

Submit a question

Email democratic.services@kingston.gov.uk or use the submit a question form.