Being able to find out what your elected representatives are doing is a fundamental part of democracy.

Yet people who use public transport could find themselves stranded if some meetings in their community overrun past the time of the last bus.

An analysis of accessibility of council meetings in Kent by the Local Democracy Reporting Service has revealed a patchwork of measures taken by authorities to make their events as open as possible to people who live there.

Many people trying to attend meetings at Kent's 12 boroughs and districts, as well as at Medway Council and Kent County Council, find themselves facing distant public transport links and car parking charges, even for evening sessions.

There have even been issues faced by disabled people trying to access meetings at busy times.

The Gibson building at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is one of the most remote centres in the county.

The nearest train station is not within walking distance and the last bus to Kings Hill is at 7pm.

Many meetings start at 7.30pm and can often go on for around two to three hours.

Adrian Stanfield, director of central services at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said: "The council strives to ensure that its meeting are as accessible as possible.

"We also hold many Tonbridge-focused meetings such as the Area 1 Planning Committee and the Tonbridge Forum at the Angel Centre in Tonbridge to reduce journey times for local residents.

"Both meeting venues benefit from good train and bus links.”

The council offices of Dover District Council are also out of the way in an industrial estate in Whitfield but buses run until at least 11pm.

Both Dartford and Ashford councils have train stations by their door steps, as does County Hall in Maidstone.

As public transport is not available at all council buildings, visitors often drive to council chambers but not all centres provide free parking.

The most expensive meetings for motorists to attend can be at County Hall if you cannot find a free space by the prison walls, which are available for two hours.

Leaving your car for the duration of a full council meeting, which often last the whole day, could set you back up to £6 at the car park in Sandling Road.

Parking near Gravesham Borough Council in Gravesend is free at Parrock Street around the corner after 6pm.

Overy Street in Dartford offer free parking after 6.30pm and car parks in Sittingbourne do not charge after 6pm.

Spaces at the civic centre in Ashford and Cecil Square in Margate are also free from 6pm.

Other council car parks offer a flat rate in the evening.

To leave your car in Tunbridge Wells, it will cost you £1.50 after 6pm.

In Maidstone, parking in the evening is £2 after 6.30pm but many meetings start at 5pm or 6pm.

So it would be more cost-efficient to park at the Mall, which is £1 from 4pm but the main entrance to the facilities closes at 7pm.

At Medway Council there is free parking available for the evening meetings but when the council staff are working, you will have to find a spot on Dock Road by Gun Wharf.

If there are not any spots available in the car park at Folkestone and Hythe District Council's Civic Centre, getting a space on Castle Hill Avenue can be a challenge.

So it is advised you arrive early to avoid disappointment.

If you want to get a seat at any popular meetings, like planning or full council, it is also recommended you turn up with time to spare.

At the town hall in Maidstone, the public gallery at borough council meetings often overflows into the neighbouring room where latecomers watch the proceedings on a screen.

To attend meetings at Tunbridge Wells' town hall, you should arrive with plenty of time as you will need to ring the bell for a member of staff to escort you.

At Gun Wharf in Chatham, Medway Council deactivate the control system so members of the public can sneak into meetings late, if need be.

But all visitors must sign in at the security desk and have a visitor pass on them, just like at County Hall in Maidstone.

Canterbury City Council is taking an innovative approach through "forum" meetings in regions outside of the city centre.

Members of the public are invited to turn up to these sessions in Whitstable and Herne Bay ahead of time for an informal chat with their councillor over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

If it is not possible to get to a meeting in person, four local authorities (Maidstone, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe councils and Kent County Council) offer live video feeds broadcast on the internet.

However, viewers should beware of occasional microphone malfunctions or other technical difficulties.

There are also occasional delays between the live feed and when the video is put on the website after the event.

The Labour group at Medway Council often use their own phone to broadcast council meetings on the Facebook page, but their battery often runs out due to the length of meetings.

While the council alongside Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Canterbury City Council and Swale Borough Council provide audio recordings.

All local authorities, including parish and town councils, must provide written records of the minutes of every meeting to the public.

There have been, on occasion, issues for people who disabilities trying to get into council meetings.

The entrance to Ashford's Civic Centre is considered narrow, as is the lift to the council chamber, but it can fit a wheelchair and meets legal requirements.

A large protest at Thanet District Council in October last year meant the main double-door entrance was closed "in the interest of managing the flow and the number of people allowed into that evening's meeting".

This meant a smaller door was the only way in, which is not big enough for a standard-sized mobility scooter.

This left one disabled person trying to attend the meeting unable to do so.

The guard on duty was allegedly assaulted while attempting to control a crowd that night.

Marvia Roach, spokesman for Thanet District Council, said: "Due to strict health and safety requirements, maximum capacity in the chamber cannot be exceeded and standing is not permitted.

"Once all the seats have been allocated, attendance will not be permitted.

"Protesters were asked to make way to allow the gentleman on the scooter access via the sliding doors which they refused to do.

"He then chose to leave the scooter outside and enter the building on foot and was able to attend the meeting."

She added the offices are fully accessible and while it is not necessary for anyone who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter to give advance notice, it is welcomed.

Do you think council meetings are not as accessible as they should be? Get in touch by emailing cwebb@thekmgroup.co.uk