Get involved - make your voice heard

Know Your Rights

The Council runs its services on your behalf. As such, there are ways in which you can find out about:

• How the council is running its services
• How well it is performing
• What are the council policies, plans and strategies.

If you have a view that you wish to express on any aspect of the Council we are keen to hear what you have to say. Find out how you can contribute your views.

You have a right to know where and when decisions are being taken

A full list of forthcoming Council meetings is displayed at public libraries and in our timetable of Council meetings. The major dates are also published in Haringey People, the Council's newspaper.

You have a right to see agendas and reports before a meeting

Copies of agendas for all council meetings open to the public are available at local libraries and public offices at least three days before the meeting.

Agendas for past meetings can be inspected at some of the Council's libraries. Copies of agendas for forthcoming Council meetings can also be inspected in the public gallery at Haringey's Civic Centre, High Road, Wood Green, N22 8LE. Some agendas are also available online.

If you would like further information on access to committee papers, please contact:

Ken Pryor,
Committee Secretariat Strategic Manager
Tel: 020 8489 2915.
Email: making.your.voice.heard@haringey.gov.uk

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You have the right to attend council meetings

Most of the major decisions about the Council's business are made at meetings that are open to the public. Everyone has the right to attend meetings of the Full Council, the Cabinet, other committees and sub-committees.

(Although, the general public may sometimes be excluded while particular items concerning confidential matters are being discussed). However, if you are asked to leave a meeting you will be told why.

See our calendar of meetings for details of forthcoming meetings.

Even if you cannot attend the meeting, you can see the papers relating to decisions made by the Council and its committees. These are available at Council public offices and local libraries.

The public is welcome to attend the meetings of Full Council, and most other meetings of councillors. Public questions can also be asked at the council meeting if received in writing by 10.00am five clear days in advance.

You can also request a deputation to council, if you give notice in writing. Such notice must be received by 10.00am five clear days in advance. (For example, Friday - for a meeting on the Monday, ten days later)

There will still be some occasions when the public can be legally excluded from a discussion - to protect someone's personal privacy, for example. But you must be told exactly what that reason is in each case, and the Council must produce a summary of what was decided.

The Civic Centre has wheelchair access, good lighting and an induction loop system. An interpreter or signer can usually be arranged with advance notice. Meetings held elsewhere are normally in wheelchair accessible locations.

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You have a right to know who are making decisions.

The names and addresses of Councillors and information about the memberships of decision-making bodies are available at all libraries. Details are also published in the Council's newsletter Haringey People. You can also find out councillor' contact details in our Councillors and wards pages.

If you would like further information regarding attending a council meeting, please contact:

Ken Pryor,
Committee Secretariat Strategic Manager
Tel 020 8489 2915
Email: making.your.voice.heard@haringey.gov.uk

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