The Parish Council welcomes members of the public to its meetings. This guide explains how to attend, how to participate, and key procedures to help you feel confident and informed.
Why are meetings held?
- The Council has a statutory duty to meet regularly.
- We typically hold around 10 Parish Council meetings per year, plus Planning Committee meetings as needed.
- Meetings are the main forum for discussing and deciding on parish matters, agreeing policies, and addressing community issues.
When and where are meetings held?
- Most Parish Council and Planning Committee meetings start at 7:00pm.
- They are usually held at Christ Church Rooms, Church Place, Pill, Bristol.
- Some meetings may now be held via Zoom (or hybrid in-person/online)—details will appear on the agenda and event listing.
- For the latest dates, times, venues/formats, agendas, and minutes, please check our Events Calendar or noticeboards.
Who can attend?
- Meetings (or the open parts) are open to anyone.
- Certain confidential items (e.g., employment, contracts, or legal matters) may require the press and public to be excluded—reasons will be stated on the agenda, and these are usually taken at the end.
Why attend?
- Raise or hear about issues affecting the parish.
- Stay informed on local decisions and proposals.
- Observe how the Council operates.
Public Participation – How and when can I speak?
Public participation is an important part of our meetings, but to ensure fairness and focus, it is governed by our Standing Orders.
- An agenda item for public participation usually appears early in the meeting.
- This session lasts up to 15 minutes in total (unless the Chair directs otherwise).
- Each speaker may speak for no more than 5 minutes (often 3 minutes in practice to allow more contributions).
- Participation is limited to making representations, asking questions, or giving evidence specifically related to items on the current agenda.
- To speak: Raise your hand (or indicate clearly in Zoom) so the Chair can invite you. State your full name. Direct all comments to the Chair.
- We listen attentively, but there is no response or debate during this session – any follow-up occurs later in the meeting or afterwards.
- Only one person speaks at a time; the Chair directs the order.
If you wish to raise a matter not on the agenda, please contact the Clerk or Chair in advance (via email or phone) to discuss. This allows us to consider adding it to a future agenda or addressing it appropriately, ensuring efficient use of meeting time.
Other ways to contact us include emailing the Clerk or speaking to your local Councillors directly.
What happens during the meeting?
Meetings are relatively informal, but we respect the Chair’s authority to maintain order and follow the agenda.
Typical agenda order (may vary slightly):
- Welcome
- Public participation
- Accept Apologies
- Approve previous minutes
- Declarations of interests/dispensations
- Main agenda items (discussions/decisions)
- Reports (Clerk, Councillors, working groups, etc.)
- Items for next agenda
- Date of next meeting
The Clerk supports the Chair to ensure decisions are lawful and procedurally correct.
Recording, filming, photography, or reporting
Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 and our Standing Orders, members of the public and press may report on open meetings, including filming, audio-recording, photographing, or using social media/blogging to share proceedings.
- This promotes transparency, but must not disrupt the meeting.
- Oral/live commentary during the meeting requires permission (to avoid interference).
- Press are entitled to reasonable facilities.
- To help us manage arrangements (especially for hybrid/Zoom meetings, privacy, or seating), we kindly ask anyone intending to record, film, photograph, broadcast, or report (including posting clips online) to notify the Clerk or Chair in advance or at the start of the meeting.
- Recording should start only after the meeting is called to order and stop when closed.
- No flash/additional lighting without consent.
- Anyone (including under-18s) not wishing to be recorded should inform the Clerk/Chair in advance – we can arrange seating or other adjustments.
If you’re new or have concerns
We understand attending for the first time (or online) can feel daunting. Contact the Clerk beforehand for advice. If you have hearing/visual needs or accessibility requirements, let us know—we can help.
How to contact us
Clerk: clerk@peig-pc.gov.uk | Tel: 0785 991 1204
Address: c/o Community Centre, Church Place, Pill, Bristol BS20 0AE
Subscribe to updates via our website for agendas, minutes, and news.
We value your input and look forward to seeing you at a meeting!