A NEW petitions process has been created by Scottish Borders Council which makes it easier for residents to raise issues with the council, writes Adam Drummond.
A new petitions committee was formed last August, and last week members of the council agreed to the process by which petitions can be accepted and the way they will be dealt with.
Chair of the petitions committee, Councillor Alec Nicol, said: “I am very pleased that we now have a petitions committee and a set of very clear guidelines around when and how a petition can be submitted. This process shows that we are always keen to take on board the views of members of the public to help us inform the work of the council.”
At last week’s meeting Councillor Catriona Bhatia said: “It shows the council is listening and responding to members of the public.
“I certainly hope this will be a very busy committee and will help us improve services, and we will get a lot of responses, which is what we are here for.”
The council will only accept petitions which relate to matters within its responsibility or on the general well-being of Borders residents.
To be accepted, the petitions must have at least 10 signatures from people aged over 16 and from a minimum of three addresses, or the support of at least five businesses on the SBC valuation roll.
Full details of the procedure and a standard petition form are available from the council’s website.