Citizens’ Rights

What rights do YOU have?

The issue is addressed in Milton Keynes Council Constitution.

They are listed as

(a) Voting and Petitions
Citizens on the Electoral Roll for the area have the right to vote
and sign a petition to request a referendum for an elected Mayor
form of constitution.

(b) Information
Citizens have the right to:
– attend meetings of the Council and its Committees
(including Overview and Scrutiny Committees/Panels)
except where confidential or exempt information is likely to
be disclosed, and the meeting is therefore held in private;
– find out from the forward plan what key decisions will be
taken by the Cabinet and when;
– attend meetings of the Cabinet when decisions are being
considered;
– see reports and background papers, and any records of
decisions made by the Council and the Cabinet; and
– inspect the Council’s accounts and make their views known
to the external auditor.

(c) Participation
Citizens have the right to participate in deputations or present
petitions to the Council, the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny
Committees/Panels and to ask questions and to contribute to the
debates at Council, Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny
Committees/Panels meetings.

(d) Complaints
Citizens have the right to complain to:
– the Council itself under its complaints scheme;
– the Ombudsman after using the Council’s own complaints
scheme; and
– the Standards Board of England about a breach of the
Councillors’ Code of Conduct.