SOMETIMES the only way to make your voice heard is to make a protest.

Standing at the back of a meeting holding a banner, or shouting slogans through a megaphone outside a public meeting, can be a great way to attract attention to a cause which otherwise may have passed the public or politicians by.

Recent events in Somerset have also shown that this process can be effective.

The director of children’s services at Somerset County Council apologised about proposed changed to the Physical Impairment and Medical Support (PIMS) team after dozens of affected parents protested outside County Hall in Taunton.

Your right to protest is enshrined within the European Convention on Human Rights, tied up with the freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of association.

But every local authority can impose its own rules on what kind of behaviour is allowed within its walls.

In Somerset, one council has gone as far as issuing guidelines for people who want to protest.

West Somerset Council has published advice for potential protesters on its website.

The guidelines were drawn up when the council was considering plans for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station and largely concern practical matters like health and safety.

A spokesperson said: “West Somerset Council does not oppose peaceful protests or demonstrations. We recognise that people have a lawful right to express their views through peaceful demonstrations or protests.

“However, we also have a duty to safeguard the general public, our staff, elected members and private and public property.”

The following guidelines have been issued:

Protests should be held at the Williton office only: the council has a customer centre on Summerland Road in Minehead, but this is “immediately adjacent to a busy road and passing traffic could present a danger”. Therefore all protests should be held outside the Williton office on Killick Way, which is free from vehicular traffic;

Protestors should leave when asked to do so: when the committee goes into confidential session, protesters should “respect this and leave the chamber when requested to do so.” Agendas for each meeting indicate when confidential discussions may be needed;

No protests in the public reception area: the council says that this is to ensure that members of the public who are not protesting can “speak to our staff without hindrance and, if appropriate, in private”. Photography, videography or audio recording is also not permitting in this area;

Ask to meet with staff in advance: if protesters wish to speak to a particular councillor or member of staff, they should ask in advance rather than demanding to see them upon arrival. The councillor or staff member in question can then decide whether to speak to them publicly or privately. The council argued: “The nature of our work is such that it is highly unlikely that a specific person will be available without prior notice.”

Contact the council in advance if a protest is being planned: because the council chamber at West Somerset House has “limited capacity”, those planning a protest should let the council know in advance that it is happening. If a large number of people are planning to attend, the council may decide to secure a larger venue for the meeting in question if it is deemed appropriate;

Antisocial behaviour can result in immediate eviction from the premises: the council does not tolerate any behaviour which is harmful, antisocial or otherwise “hinders the general public or staff to conduct business”. “Appropriate action” can be taken in such cases, including asking people to leave the premises – and asking for assistance in doing this if people do not comply.

Other councils in Somerset may have general guidelines about anti-social or abusive behaviour, but they do not have quite such specific policies when it comes to official protests.

Taunton Deane Borough Council – which will join with West Somerset to form a new authority in 2019 – said that it had no specific policy relating to protests, but that “alternative arrangements” can be made for well-attended meetings.

A spokeswoman said: “West Somerset Council’s policy was drawn up as the authority was considering issues relating to the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station – a project of national importance and interest and likely to attract the attention of those with strongly-held views.

“There is no similar policy for Taunton Deane Borough Council as it has not been deemed necessary. We have made alternative arrangements for

meetings when considering issues of local significance – those that are likely to attract larger than usual numbers attending.

“Alternative venues with greater capacity than The Deane House have been secured including Blackbrook Pavilion and Somerset County Cricket Club.  These occasions are rare and exceptional.”

Sedgemoor District Council said that it does not have a formal policy on protests in light of the location of most of its meetings in Bridgwater.

A spokeswoman said: “I suppose we are lucky in that we have King Square immediately outside of Bridgwater House, and any protests are usually held there as there is no danger from traffic.

“Our constitution allows the chairman of a meeting to call for the meeting room to be cleared or adjourn the meeting.

“In previous times, we have requested that any banners or placards are left outside the building mainly as they may restrict space and views when in the Sedgemoor room, where meetings are held.”

South Somerset District Council – whose meetings are conducted in Chard, Somerton, Wincanton and Yeovil – said that protests came under its existing policy for dealing with anti-social or threatening behaviour on its property.

A spokesman said: “There is an understanding between officers about how to handle this type of situation.

“We respect the right to peaceful demonstration but will take action if that becomes anti-social, threatens our staff or other members of the public, or would otherwise interfere with our lawfully conducting our business.”

Mendip District Council – which holds its meetings in Shepton Mallet – does not currently have a protest policy.

Somerset County Council, which meets in Taunton, said that protesters were allowed to gather outside either County Hall or Shire Hall – depending on the meeting venue – and were then able to join the meeting in question.