Meetings Guidance
The Town Council conducts most of its business through a structure of committees, which meet regularly throughout the year. All formal meetings are open to the public and press, and meeting agendas and minutes are published on this website.
Public Attendance and Participation
Members of the public are welcome to attend Council and committee meetings. The Council also provides an opportunity for the public to ask questions or make statements through Public Participation, which takes place at the beginning of each formal meeting and relates to items on the meeting agenda.
Anyone wishing to ask a public question should submit it by email to
office@penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk
no later than 9.00am on the day prior to the meeting.
Depending on the nature of the question, it may be possible to provide an immediate verbal response at the meeting. In most cases, however, a written response will be provided afterwards, and participants are therefore asked to leave their contact details.
Speaking at a Meeting
If you would like to speak during Public Participation, please write to the Town Clerk in advance of the meeting to confirm your request. Speaking is subject to the discretion of the Chair.
Where permission is granted:
- You may speak for a maximum of three minutes per meeting
- Supplementary questions may be allowed for up to two minutes
- The Chair will invite you to stand or sit in a position where you can be clearly heard
- The Council may respond at the meeting or in writing after the meeting
- Your name will not be recorded in the meeting minutes
To ensure meetings run smoothly:
- You must not interrupt speakers or speak during councillors’ debate
- You must not hold conversations with other members of the public during the meeting
- Anyone acting in a disruptive manner may be asked by the Chair to leave
Questions or comments on matters not included on the meeting agenda cannot be discussed during meetings and should be submitted in writing to the Town Clerk.
Contacting the Council
You are welcome to contact the Council with questions or concerns during normal office hours by telephone or email. Members of the public may also visit the Council Office; however, booking an appointment in advance is recommended to ensure the appropriate officer is available.
Private Sessions (Part 2)
On occasion, agenda items may be restricted and members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting. This usually applies where matters are commercially sensitive, legally privileged, insurance‑related, or relate to staffing issues. When this happens, the meeting moves into private session (known as Part 2).
Filming, Recording and Reporting Meetings
Meetings may be filmed, photographed or audio‑recorded by members of the public. Anyone who objects to being filmed or recorded should notify the Town Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.
While no one may provide live oral commentary during a meeting, members of the public may:
- Film, photograph or record proceedings
- Use other means to enable others to view or hear the meeting live or later
- Report or comment on proceedings in writing during or after the meeting
- Report or comment orally after the meeting
Anyone recording meetings for non‑domestic purposes is responsible for ensuring that any processing of personal data complies with data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act and UK GDPR.