Citizen Participation

What does it do?

A neighbourhood council is a community empowerment and political participatory body for local residents regarding neighbourhood matters.

A Neighbourhood Council is a channel for citizen participation in the development of local-community public policies, which fosters social cohesion and improves the quality of city life.

How is it organised?

Neighbourhood Council sessions are open to all local residents. It meets at least twice a year. They can also be convened through citizen initiatives, or a proposal from the Monitoring Committee from the same district, if there is a majority in favour.

The Neighbourhood Council sessions are divided into four parts: the first is for monitoring the main agreements adopted in previous sessions. In the second, the main points of order on the agenda concerning neighbourhood actions are discussed. In the third part, information is given, where necessary, on the current state of participatory processes, public consultations and citizen initiatives that are of interest to that neighbourhood.  The last part is a question and answer period for the general public, where they can ask questions about any subject concerning the neighbourhood.

The agenda will always be displayed on the municipal website prior to the session being convened, and any local resident may suggest the inclusion of a new point of order to the Monitoring Committee.

The Neighbourhood Council may take questions to the Full District Meeting through the Monitoring Committee, provided that a majority is in favour.

The Neighbourhood Council is made up of the following members:

• The District Councillor chairs the Neighbourhood Council.  
• There are two vice-chairs. The first is a citizen with a recognised career linked to the neighbourhood's social life or association network. The second is the councillor who received most neighbourhood votes in the municipal elections.
• A district councillor from every municipal group.
• Neighbourhood organisations and associations, existing groups and platforms, as well as any citizens and local residents who wish to attend.

The district technician assigned to that neighbourhood acts as secretary.

The Neighbourhood Council has a Monitoring Committee, which is responsible for monitoring the issues raised at the Neighbourhood Council and for drafting the agenda for subsequent sessions.

Neighbourhood Council Monitoring Committee

Every Neighbourhood Council has to form a Monitoring Committee that fulfils the following functions: drawing up the agenda for Neighbourhood Council sessions, ensuring that the minutes are written up within a maximum of 15 days, sending the minutes to the people who have attended the Neighbourhood Council session, publishing the minutes and all relevant documents on the digital platform and lastly, monitoring the subjects raised in previous sessions.

Furthermore, the Neighbourhood Council's Monitoring Committee can convene sessions and working committees in order to study, work on and debate certain matters that have to be submitted for approval by the Neighbourhood Council.

The Neighbourhood Council's Monitoring Committee is made up of:

• Representatives from the district policy and technical department.
• A district councillor from every municipal group.
• Representatives from neighbourhood organisations chosen by them during the first Neighbourhood Council session.
• City residents who do not belong to any association and who were chosen at the Neighbourhood Council session that formalised the Monitoring Committee.

How can I take part?

The Neighbourhood Council sessions are open, and any city residents, local residents and existing groups and platforms may take part, along with public service and public facility professionals connected to the neighbourhood, determined by the District, where the Neighbourhood Council considers this collaboration to be convenient and appropriate.

In order to intervene in a Neighbourhood Council, you may request which question or subject you wish to discuss by notifying the Monitoring Committee at least two days before the session. You can also ask for the right to speak during the session.