Political opinion: West Sussex County Council vote to re-strengthen democracy by changing petition signature numbers

West Sussex County Council have voted in favour of reducing the number of signatures needed for a petition to be heard. The reduction from 9000 to 3000 required signatures is seen as an encouragement for residents to have their voices heard on important and relevant issues. 

The previous Conservative-run administration increased the number of signatures from 3000 to 9000 in March 2025. The change only served to hurt democracy and reduce the public’s engagement with local democracy.

Since 2017, there have only been 3 petitions that have reached the former 3000 required number of signatures, so it was already difficult enough. However, once the change came in, it became nearly impossible to get a petition heard at a Full Council meeting. No petitions had been heard since the numbers were changed to 9000.

The Green Group has always seen the increase in signature numbers as undemocratic and only serves to reduce people’s engagement and involvement in local democracy. We have been pushing hard to reverse this decision as we see it as undemocratic. Cllr Jimi Taylor (Green Group representative on the Governance Committee) commented:

“As councillors, we should be encouraging West Sussex residents to take part in democracy, not making it harder like the previous Conservative administration decided to. Petitions are a crucial means for West Sussex residents to get directly involved in local democracy and enable their voices to be heard directly by decision-makers. We want to be hearing from residents about what really matters to them.”

The last petition to be heard at Full Council was from WS Divest, who wanted to see the Council’s Pension Fund divest from 10 companies.

The move to make the reduction in required signature was backed by the council leader in the previous Full Council meeting on 17th July, and by the Governance Committee meeting on 14th September 2026.

On 16th October Full Council voted to accept these recommendations and confirming the number of signatures required for a petition to be heard at Full Council will be 3000. 

Cllr Taylor welcomed the news: Cllr Jimi Taylor “Democracy should be as accessible as possible for everyone and the Green Party are dedicated to getting as many people involved in local governance as possible.”

“I am grateful to my colleagues on West Sussex County Council for working collaboratively to reverse the undemocratic decision made by the previous Conservative administration.”