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Guidelines for Public Question Time and Deputations
Members of the public are able to address Council during Council meetings at Item 4.2 Public Question Time or Item 7 Deputations. Council meetings are regulated by the Local Government Act 1995, the Local Government (Administration) Regulations and the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Standing Orders Local Law 2011 , which details the procedure for question time for the public and deputations. Click here for combined regulations.
COVID-19
In accordance with WA Government Phase 3 - Easing of Restictions on 6 June 2020, the Shire is permitting in-person attendance at public Council Meetings.
Public question time
All members of the community have a legislative right to ask questions at Council meetings. Public Question Time is a means by which members of the public can seek responses from Council about issues affecting local government of which are concern to them. It also provides the Shire with a mechanism to identify issues of importance to the community.
Questions asked during Public Question Time must pertain only to business of Council. This includes any matter before Council at the meeting or any issue relating to the Shire.
Here are some important things to remember when you prepare and deliver your question to Council:
- Ensure your question is clear and concise
- Do not phrase your question as a statement or personal opinion
- Ensure your question is not of an offensive nature to any member of the public, the Council or employee of the Shire
A maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed for public question time. To ensure that people are given equal and fair opportunity and time is used efficiently, questions will be limited to two per person if there are a number of people wishing to ask questions.
The Shire President may nominate a Shire Officer to answer the question and may also determine that any complex questions requiring research be taken on notice and answered in writing.
A summary of each question asked and the response given will be included in the minutes of the meeting. Responses to questions taken on notice will be included in the agenda of the next ordinary meeting of Council.
If you wish to ask a question, please complete the Public Question Time Form and submit it t prior to the commencement of the meeting via email [email protected] or alternatively, the Governance / Council Support Officer will be available 15 minutes prior to the meeting start to receive completed submission forms.
Deputations
A deputation is a presentation by a member of the public regarding an item on the agenda in which the speaker/s has a direct interest. A deputation must be requested in advance of the meeting and approved by the Shire President.
Below are a few things to remember about deputations:
- Email the Governance Officer / Council Support your request for deputation as soon as possible (the Standing Orders state that the application needs to be received by the CEO five working days before the meeting, so any request received after this time will be approved only at the discretion of the Shire President)
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Include a concise description of your deputation and to which agenda item it relates
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Each deputation will have maximum of five minutes (this may be extended at the discretion of the Shire President)
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You will need to provide the Shire with a written copy of your notes
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Deputations may not be of an offensive nature and may be terminated if the Presiding Member deems it necesscery
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The speaker must be prepared to answer questions from the Council with regards to their presentation
If you would like to know more about the procedures for Public Question Time or Deputations, please contact the Shire’s Governance / Council Support Officer on 9780 5205 or email [email protected]
Contact Governance Officer / Council Support, Claire Schiller
Phone 08 9780 5205
Email [email protected]
Further information
