Petitioners Pack
Our neutrally-worded survey found massive support among park users for replacing trees only as they die. So, why collect a petition?
- You can tell a lot of concerned people about the problem in a short space of time (up to 60 an hour, based on experience);
- It identifies people who want more information about the plan and some who will do something about it;
- Once you have 50 signatures from the borough, you can present it to the council.
Collecting Your Signatures
This pack contains:
- Signature Sheet (opens in web browser);
- Signs for street stalls.
I use a photocopier to enlarge the signs to A3 and then stick them onto card. Thick A2 card is 2 pounds per sheet at Stationery Box. Two sheets with a little duct tape joining the top edges can make a lightweight A-frame sign. It's still useful to take a black marker with you in case you want to change them while out.
When collecting signatures in public, take two sets of signature sheets attached to clipboards with pens (and have spares handy). More or less, keep the sign visible and wait for people to approach you. If it goes a little slow, it's OK to ask a short question of passers-by (like "would you like to sign?"), but don't upset people.
Try to have some extra material available, such as WAG leaflets or a letter asking people to object to the felling in planning application 04/02500/F and suggesting why. If possible, tell them their local councillor to contact, else suggest Councillor Elizabeth Nockolds (Walks project head) or Councillor John Legg (Development Control Board chair) at the Borough Council, King's Court, King's Lynn, or the Heritage Lottery Fund, Kett House, Station Road, Cambridge.
For more hints, see how to run a petition from the BBC.
What To Do Next
Once you have at least 50 signatures from the borough, to present it to the council, call 616200 and tell them you would like to present a petition to the council. They will probably connect you with "legal and democratic services" who will explain the procedure. Essentially, the petition has to be submitted to the chief executive at least three working days before a council meeting and you will be invited to attend.
When you are presenting the petition, you will be allowed to speak in support of it for up to five minutes (subject to a total of 30 minutes for public questions and petitions). You probably should mention the length of time taken to collect the signatures and how many were collected. Remark on anything interesting about the signatories, perhaps relay any stories. Most importantly, tell them why you are against the felling, why you selected the wording you did (if you used different wording) and call for them to reconsider their ill-conceived plan.
If you do not want to present the petition yourself, contact the Walks Action Group to ask for someone to present it for you. It would be better to speak for yourself if you can, though.
For extra effect, send a summary to the press (and there are usually one or two reporters at council meetings), send a letter to the local newspaper (probably the Citizen) thanking signatories and send a copy to the Heritage Lottery Fund. You can find some addresses on the help page.