Edinburgh Integration
Joint Board

Deputations

Representatives of groups or organisations can make deputations at the Board’s meetings and committees on items being considered. They will be able to put their point of view directly to health and social care decision makers and influence the issues that matter to them.

Deputations aim to encourage greater public participation in the democratic process. Community and other groups with a common goal can submit deputation requests to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board.

When making deputation request, representatives should indicate which group/organisation they represent and they must be an office bearer or spokesperson of this organisation. Ideally, groups will also provide information about the issue they wish to raise.

This will allow officers the chance to look into their issue and provide a suitable response at the board meeting.

How to make a deputation

Deputation requests must be submitted to the clerk by 2pm two working days before the meeting takes place and will only be accepted from an office bearer or spokesperson of an organisation or group. The Chair has the discretion to waive this requirement if they feel it is appropriate.

The Clerk will submit the application to the board. An application for a deputation to the board will only be submitted if it relates to a substantive item of business on the agenda for that meeting, such as reports, but not minutes, the annual cycle of business the committee update report or outstanding actions. The Integration Joint Board will be asked whether they wish to hear the deputation but must not discuss the merits of the case itself. If necessary, a vote will be taken without discussion on whether to hear the deputation or not.

Each deputation will not usually exceed two persons and will have four minutes to present its case. If the meeting decides to hear more than one deputation on the same subject, they will be heard together. The Chair will decide how much time to allow.

Each board member may put one question to each deputation that is relevant to the subject. The total time allowed for such questions will not be more than ten minutes for each deputation. The time for questions may be reduced at the Chair’s discretion. The merits of the case must not be discussed by members until the deputation has withdrawn and the item(s) of business to which the deputation is in relation to have been reached.

The total maximum time allowed for deputations at a meeting will be limited to 60 minutes.

Following questions the deputation will be asked to retire to the public seating area to watch the debate and decision on the matter. The deputation should not take any part in the debate or the discussion of the relevant item.

Agenda items relating to deputations will be considered in the order as set out on the agenda, unless explicitly advised otherwise by the Chair under ‘Order of Business’ at the beginning of the meeting.

You can ask to make a deputation by email or by contacting Committee Services, the City of Edinburgh Council via committee.services@edinburgh.gov.uk