{"id":"wa-local:east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016","name":"Meeting Procedures Local Law 2016","slug":"east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016","collection":"local_law","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":442416,"registerId":"wa-local:east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016-1775957435330","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meeting Procedures Local Law 2016","content":"!2017016GG!\n621\nISSN 1448-949X (print) ISSN 2204-4264 (online)\nPRINT POST APPROVED PP665002/00041\nPERTH, WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2017 No. 16 SPECIAL\nPUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY JOHN A. STRIJK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER AT 12.00 NOON\n© STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA\nWESTERN\nAUSTRALIAN\nGOVERNMENT\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\n_________\nTOWN OF EAST FREMANTLE\n———————————\nMEETING PROCEDURES\nLOCAL LAW 2016\n\n\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 623\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nTOWN OF EAST FREMANTLE\nMEETING PROCEDURES LOCAL LAW 2016\nCONTENTS\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Citation\n1.2 Commencement\n1.3 Application and intent\n1.4 Interpretation\n1.5 Repeal\nPART 2—MEETINGS OF COUNCIL\n2.1 Ordinary and special Council meetings\n2.2 Calling Council meetings\n2.3 Convening Council meetings\n2.4 Calling committee meetings\n2.5 Public notice of meetings\nPART 3—PRESIDING MEMBER AND QUORUM\n3.1 Who presides\n3.2 When the Deputy Mayor can act\n3.3 Who acts if no Mayor\n3.4 Election of presiding members of committees\n3.5 Election of deputy presiding members of committees\n3.6 Functions of deputy presiding members\n3.7 Who acts if no presiding member\n3.8 Quorum for meetings\n3.9 Reduction of quorum for Council meetings\n3.10 Reduction of quorum for committee meetings\n3.11 Procedure where no quorum to begin a meeting\n3.12 Procedure where quorum not present during a meeting\n3.13 Names to be recorded\nPART 4—BUSINESS OF A MEETING\n4.1 Business to be specified\n4.2 Order of business\n4.3 Grant of leave of absence\n4.4 Announcements by the presiding member\n4.5 Motions of which previous notice has been given\n4.6 New business of an urgent nature\n4.7 Adoption by exception resolution\n4.8 Closure—time limits for Council or committee meetings\nPART 5—PUBLIC PARTICIPATION\n5.1 Meetings generally open to the public\n5.2 Meetings not open to the public\n5.3 Question time for the public\n5.4 Question time for the public at certain meetings\n5.5 Minimum question time for the public\n5.6 Procedures for question time for the public\n5.7 Other procedures for question time for the public\n\n624 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n5.8 Distinguished visitor\n5.9 Deputations\n5.10 Presentations\n5.11 Participation at committee meetings\n5.12 Public inspection of agenda material\n5.13 Confidentiality of information withheld\n5.14 Recording of proceedings\n5.15 Prevention of disturbance\nPART 6—QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS\n6.1 Questions on notice\n6.2 Questions during debate\n6.3 Restrictions on questions and answers\nPART 7—CONDUCT OF MEMBERS\n7.1 Members to occupy own seats\n7.2 Official titles to be used\n7.3 Entering or leaving a meeting\n7.4 Members who wish to speak\n7.5 Priority of speaking\n7.6 The presiding member may take part in debates\n7.7 Relevance\n7.8 Speaking twice\n7.9 Duration of speeches\n7.10 No speaking after conclusion of debate\n7.11 No interruption\n7.12 No reopening of discussion\n7.13 Offensive language\n7.14 Withdrawal of offensive language\n7.15 Personal explanation\nPART 8—PRESERVING ORDER\n8.1 Presiding member to preserve order\n8.2 Point of order\n8.3 Procedures on a point of order\n8.4 Ruling by the presiding member\n8.5 Continued breach of order\n8.6 Presiding member may adjourn meeting\nPART 9—DEBATE OF SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS\n9.1 Motions to be stated and in writing\n9.2 Motions to be supported\n9.3 Unopposed business\n9.4 Only one substantive motion at a time\n9.5 Complex motions\n9.6 Order of call in debate\n9.7 Limit of debate\n9.8 Member may require motion to be read\n9.9 Order of amendments\n9.10 Amendments must not negate original motion\n9.11 Relevance of amendments\n9.12 Mover of motion may speak on amendment\n9.13 Effect of an amendment\n9.14 Withdrawal of motion and amendments\n9.15 Right of reply\nPART 10—PROCEDURAL MOTIONS\n10.1 Permissible procedural motions\n10.2 No debate\n10.3 Who may move\n10.4 Right of reply on substantive motion\n10.5 Meeting to proceed to the next business\n10.6 Item to be referred or adjourned\n10.7 Meeting now adjourn\n10.8 Motion to be put\n10.9 Member to be no longer heard\n10.10 Ruling of the presiding member be disagreed with\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 625\nPART 11—DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS\n11.1 Disclosure of interests\n11.2 Separation of committee recommendations\nPART 12—VOTING\n12.1 Motion—when put\n12.2 Voting\n12.3 Majorities required for decisions\n12.4 Question—method of taking vote\nPART 13—MINUTES\n13.1 Keeping of minutes\n13.2 Content of minutes\n13.3 Public inspection of unconfirmed minutes\n13.4 Confirmation of minutes\nPART 14—IMPLEMENTING DECISIONS\n14.1 Requirements to revoke or change decisions\n14.2 Meaning of terms\n14.3 Limitations on powers to revoke or change decisions\n14.4 Implementing a decision\nPART 15—SUSPENSION AND NON-APPLICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES\n15.1 Suspension of Meeting Procedures\n15.2 Where Meeting Procedures do not apply\nPART 16—COMMITTEES\n16.1 Establishment and appointment of committees\n16.2 Types of committees\n16.3 Delegation of some powers and duties to certain committees\n16.4 Limits on delegation of powers and duties to certain committees\n16.5 Appointment of committee members\n16.6 Tenure of committee membership\n16.7 Appointment of deputies\n16.8 Resignation of committee members\n16.9 Register of delegations to committees\n16.10 Meeting Procedures to apply\n16.11 Committee to report\n16.12 Presentation of committee reports\n16.13 Reports of committees—questions\n16.14 Permissible motions on committee recommendations\nPART 17—MEETING OF ELECTORS\n17.1 Electors’ general meetings\n17.2 Matters for discussion at general electors’ meeting\n17.3 Electors’ special meetings\n17.4 Requests for electors’ special meetings\n17.5 Convening electors’ meetings\n17.6 Who presides at electors’ meetings\n17.7 Procedure for electors’ meetings\n17.8 Participation of non-electors\n17.9 Voting at electors’ meetings\n17.10 Minutes of electors’ meetings\n17.11 Decisions made at electors’ meetings\nPART 18—ENFORCEMENT\n18.1 Penalty for breach\n18.2 Who can prosecute\nFIRST SCHEDULE—PENALTIES\n\n\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 627\nLOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995\nTOWN OF EAST FREMANTLE\nMEETING PROCEDURES LOCAL LAW 2016\nUnder the powers conferred by the Local Government Act 1995 and under all other powers enabling\nit, the Council of the Town of East Fremantle resolved on 13 December 2016 to make the following\nlocal law.\nPART 1—PRELIMINARY\n1.1 Citation\n(1) This local law may be cited as the Town of East Fremantle Meeting Procedures Local Law 2016.\n1.2 Commencement\nThis local law commences 14 days after it is published in the Government Gazette.\n1.3 Application and intent\n(1) This local law contains the rules that apply to the conduct of meetings of the Council and its\ncommittees and to meetings of electors.\n(2) All meetings are to be conducted in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and this local law.\n(3) This local law is intended to result in—\n(a) better decision making by the Council and its committees;\n(b) the orderly conduct of meetings dealing with Council business;\n(c) better understanding of the process of conducting meetings; and\n(d) more efficient and effective use of time at meetings.\n1.4 Interpretation\nIn this local law, unless the context requires otherwise—\nabsolute majority has the meaning given to it in the Act;\nAct means the Local Government Act 1995;\nCEO means the Chief Executive Officer or Acting Chief Executive Officer for the time being of the\nTown;\nTown means the Town of East Fremantle;\nclause means a clause of this local law;\ncommittee means a committee of the Council (established under section 5.8 of the Act);\nCouncil means the Council of the Town;\nCouncillor has the same meaning as is given to it in the Act;\nDeputy Mayor means the deputy mayor of the Town;\nemployee has the same meaning as is given to it in the Act;\nMayor means the mayor of the Town;\nmeeting means a meeting of the Council or of a committee, or an electors’ meeting, as the context\nrequires;\nmember has the same meaning as given to it in the Act;\nMinister means the Minister responsible for administering the Act;\nminor amendment, in relation to a motion, means an amendment which does not alter the basic\nintent of the motion to which the amendment applies;\npresiding member means—\n(a) in respect of the Council, the person presiding under section 5.6 of the Act (see clause\n3.1); and\n(b) in respect of a committee, the person presiding under sections 5.12, 5.13 and 5.14 of the\nAct (see clauses 3.4 and 3.5);\nRegulations means the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996;\n\n628 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\nRules of Conduct Regulations means the Local Government (Rules of Conduct)\nRegulations 2007;\nsimple majority means more than 50% of the members present and voting;\nspecial majority has the same meaning as is given to it in the Act; and\nsubstantive motion means an original motion, or an original motion as amended, but does not\ninclude an amendment motion or a procedural motion.\n1.5 Repeal\nThe Town of East Fremantle By-law Relating to Standing Orders 1965 published in the Government\nGazette on 8 February 1965 and amended on 26 June 1981 is repealed.\nPART 2—MEETINGS OF COUNCIL\n2.1 Ordinary and special Council meetings\n(1) Ordinary and special Council meetings are dealt with in the Act.\n(2) An ordinary meeting of the Council is for the purpose of considering and dealing with the ordinary\nbusiness of the Council.\n(3) A special meeting of the Council is held for the purpose of considering and dealing with Council\nbusiness that is urgent, complex in nature, for a particular purpose or confidential.\n2.2 Calling Council meetings\nThe calling of Council meetings is dealt with in the Act.\n2.3 Convening Council meetings\n(1) The convening of a Council meeting is dealt with in the Act.\n(2) Subject to subclause (3), the CEO is to give at least 72 hours’ notice, for the purposes of section 5.5,\nin convening a special meeting of the Council.\n(3) Where, in the opinion of the Mayor or at least 1/3 of the members, there is a need to meet urgently,\nthe CEO may give a lesser period of notice of a special Council meeting.\n2.4 Calling committee meetings\nA meeting of a committee is to be held—\n(a) if called for in a verbal or written request to the CEO by the Mayor or the presiding member\nof the committee, advising the date and purpose of the proposed meeting;\n(b) if called for by at least 1/3 of the members of the committee in a notice to the CEO, setting out\nthe date and purpose of the proposed meeting;\n(c) in accordance with a decision of the Council or the committee; or\n(d) if called for by the CEO in a notice to elected members advising of the date and purpose of the\nproposed meeting.\n2.5 Public notice of meetings\nPublic notice of meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.\nPART 3—PRESIDING MEMBER AND QUORUM\n3.1 Who presides\nWho presides at a Council meeting is dealt with in the Act.\n3.2 When the Deputy Mayor can act\nWhen the Deputy Mayor can act is dealt with in the Act.\n3.3 Who acts if no Mayor\nWho acts if there is no Mayor is dealt with in the Act.\n3.4 Election of presiding members of committees\nThe election of presiding members of committees is dealt with in the Act.\n3.5 Election of deputy presiding members of committees\nThe election of deputy presiding members of committees is dealt with in the Act.\n3.6 Functions of deputy presiding members\nThe functions of deputy presiding members are dealt with in the Act.\n3.7 Who acts if no presiding member\nWho acts if no presiding member is dealt with in the Act.\n3.8 Quorum for meetings\nThe quorum for meetings is dealt with in the Act.\n3.9 Reduction of quorum for Council meetings\nThe power of the Minister to reduce the number for a quorum and certain majorities is dealt with in\nthe Act.\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 629\n3.10 Reduction of quorum for committee meetings\nThe reduction of a quorum for committee meetings is dealt with in the Act.\n3.11 Procedure where no quorum to begin a meeting\nThe procedure where there is no quorum to begin a meeting is dealt with in the Regulations.\n3.12 Procedure where quorum not present during a meeting\nIf at any time during a meeting a quorum is not present—\n(a) the presiding member is immediately to suspend the proceedings of the meeting for a period\nof up to 15 minutes;\n(b) if a quorum is not present at the expiry of the suspension period under subclause (a), the\npresiding member may either adjourn the meeting to some future time or date or may extend\nthe extension period for a further period of 30 minutes; and\n(c) if a quorum is not present at the expiry of the extended period of suspension under subclause\n(b), the presiding member is to adjourn the meeting to a later time on the same day or to\nanother day.\n3.13 Names to be recorded\nAt any meeting—\n(a) at which there is not a quorum present to begin the meeting; or\n(b) which is adjourned for want of a quorum,\nthe names of the members then present are to be recorded in the minutes.\nPART 4—BUSINESS OF A MEETING\n4.1 Business to be specified\n(1) No business is to be transacted at any ordinary meeting of the Council other than that specified in\nthe agenda, without the approval of the presiding member or a decision of the Council.\n(2) No business is to be transacted at a special meeting of the Council other than that given in the\nnotice of the meeting as the purpose of the meeting.\n(3) No business is to be transacted at a committee meeting other than that specified in the agenda, or\nin the notice of the meeting as the purpose of the meeting, without the approval of the presiding\nmember or a decision of the committee.\n(4) Where a Council meeting is adjourned to the next ordinary meeting of the Council, the business\nunresolved at the meeting that is adjourned is to be dealt with before item 9 of clause 4.2(1) at that\nordinary meeting.\n(5) Where a committee meeting is adjourned to the next ordinary committee meeting, the business\nunresolved at the meeting that is adjourned is to be given precedence at that ordinary meeting.\n(6) Where a Council or committee meeting is adjourned to a meeting not described in subclause (4)\nor (5), no business is to be transacted at that later meeting other than that—\n(a) specified in the notice of the meeting that is adjourned; and\n(b) which remains unresolved.\n4.2 Order of business\n(1) Unless otherwise decided by the Council, the order of business at any ordinary meeting of the\nCouncil is to be as follows—\n1. Official opening.\n2. Record of attendance, apologies and leave of absence—\n2.1 Attendance\n2.2 Apologies\n2.3 Approved leave of absence\n3. Disclosures of interests—\n3.1 Financial.\n3.2 Proximity.\n3.3 Impartiality.\n4. Public question time—\n4.1 Responses to previous questions from members of the public taken on notice.\n4.2 Public question time.\n5. Presentations/Deputations—\n5.1 Presentations\n5.2 Deputations\n6. Applications for leave of absence.\n7. Confirmation of minutes.\n8. Announcements by the presiding member.\n9. Unresolved business from previous meetings.\n\n630 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n10. Reports and recommendations of Committees.\n11. Reports.\n12. Motions of which previous notice has been given.\n13. Notice of motion for consideration at the next meeting.\n14. Questions by members of which due notice has been given.\n15. New business of an urgent nature.\n16. Matters behind closed doors.\n17. Closure.\n(2) Unless otherwise decided by the committee, the order of business at any ordinary meeting of a\ncommittee is to be as follows—\n1. Official opening.\n2. Record of attendance, apologies and leave of absence.\n3. Memorandum of outstanding business.\n4. Disclosures of interest—\n4.1 Financial.\n4.2 Proximity.\n4.3 Impartiality.\n5. Public question time where a Committee has delegated authority—\n5.1 Responses to previous questions from members of the public taken on notice.\n5.2 Public question time.\n5.3 Deputations and Public statement time.\n6. Confirmation of minutes.\n7. Announcements by the presiding member.\n8. Reports.\n9. Matters behind closed doors.\n10. Closure.\n(3) Unless otherwise decided by the members present, the order of business at any special meeting of\nthe Council or at a committee meeting is to be the order in which that business stands in the notice of,\nor agenda for, the meeting.\n(4) Notwithstanding subclauses (1), (2) and (3), the CEO may include on the agenda of a Council or\ncommittee meeting in an appropriate place within the order of business any matter which must be\ndecided, or which he or she considers is appropriate to be decided, by that meeting.\n4.3 Grant of leave of absence\nThe grant of leave of absence is dealt with in the Act.\n4.4 Announcements by the presiding member\nAnnouncements by the presiding member under item 8 of clause 4.2(1) are—\n(a) to inform the Council of official duties performed, or functions attended, by the Mayor, or of\nother matters of importance to the Council, of which the Council has not previously been\ninformed;\n(b) to be brief and concise; and\n(c) to be completed within 10 minutes.\n4.5 Motions of which previous notice has been given\n(1) Unless the Act, Regulations or this local law otherwise provide, a member may raise at a meeting\nsuch business of the Town as he or she considers appropriate, in the form of a motion, of which notice\nhas been given in writing to the CEO or at the last Council meeting.\n(2) A notice of motion under subclause (1) is to be given at least 7 clear working days before the\nmeeting at which the motion is moved.\n(3) A notice of motion must relate to the good government of persons in the district.\n(4) The CEO—\n(a) with the concurrence of the Mayor, may exclude from the notice paper any notice of motion\nthat he or she considers to be out of order under clause 8.2(1), such as a breach of clause 7.7\nand 7.13 of this local law; and\n(b) may make such amendments to the form, but not the substance, as will bring the notice of\nmotion into due form.\n(5) A notice of motion is not out of order because the policy involved is considered to be objectionable.\n(6) If a notice of motion is excluded under subclause (4), the Mayor is to advise the CEO who is to\nprovide the reason for its exclusion to all members as soon as practicable.\n(7) A motion of which notice has been given is to lapse unless—\n(a) the member who gave notice of it, or some other member authorised by him or her in writing,\nmoves the motion when called on; or\n(b) the Council or committee on a motion agrees to defer consideration of the motion to a later\nstage or date.\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 631\n(8) An amendment, other than a minor amendment, to a motion of which notice has been given under\nthis clause, is not to be considered at a meeting unless written notice of the amendment is received by\nthe CEO no later than 12:00 noon on the last working date preceding the day of the meeting at which\nthe relevant motion is to be considered.\n(9) The presiding member—\n(a) is to determine whether an amendment is a minor amendment for the purposes of subclause\n(8); and\n(b) is to make that determination on the basis that a minor amendment is one which, in his or\nher opinion, does not alter the basic intent of the primary motion.\n4.6 New business of an urgent nature\n(1) In cases of extreme urgency or other special circumstances, matters may, on a motion that is\ncarried by the meeting, be raised without notice and decided by the meeting.\n(2) In subclause (1), “cases of extreme urgency or other special circumstances” means matters—\n(a) that have arisen after the preparation of the agenda that are considered by the meeting to be\nof such importance and urgency that they are unable to be dealt with administratively by the\nTown and must be considered and dealt with by the Council before the next meeting; and\n(b) that, if not dealt with at the meeting, are likely to—\n(i) have a significant adverse effect (financially or otherwise) on the Town; or\n(ii) result in a contravention of a written law.\n(3) Before debate begins on a matter under this clause that is not the subject of a written employee\nreport to the meeting—\n(a) the presiding member is to ask the CEO to give; and\n(b) the CEO, or the CEO’s nominee, is to give,\na verbal report to the meeting.\n(4) The minutes of the meeting are to include—\n(a) a summary of the verbal report and any recommendations of the CEO or the CEO’s nominee;\nand\n(b) the reasons for any decision made at the meeting that is significantly different from any\nrecommendations of the CEO or the CEO’s nominee.\n4.7 Adoption by exception resolution\n(1) In this clause “adoption by exception resolution” means—\n(a) a resolution of the Council that has the effect of adopting, for each of a number of specifically\nidentified reports, the committee or employee recommendation as the Council resolution; and\n(b) a resolution of a committee that has the effect of adopting, for each of a number of specifically\nidentified reports, the employee recommendation as the committee resolution.\n(2) The Council or a committee may pass an adoption by exception resolution.\n(3) An adoption by exception resolution may not be used for a matter—\n(a) that requires an absolute majority or a special majority;\n(b) in which a financial or proximity interest has been disclosed;\n(c) that has been the subject of a petition;\n(d) that is a matter on which a member wishes to make a statement; or\n(e) that is a matter on which a member wishes to move a motion that is different to the\nrecommendation.\n4.8 Closure—time limits for Council or committee meetings\nIf a meeting of the Council or committee is in progress 3 hours after its commencement—\n(a) the presiding member is to enable the Council or committee to decide whether the meeting\nshould continue;\n(b) the meeting may continue—\n(i) for up to 1 more hour;\n(ii) only if a motion that the meeting may continue is carried; and\n(iii) only for the time (up to 1 more hour) specified in that motion; and\n(c) the presiding member is to adjourn the meeting—\n(i) if the motion under paragraph (b) is not carried; or\n(ii) at the conclusion of any extension specified in a motion that is carried under\nparagraph (b).\nPART 5—PUBLIC PARTICIPATION\n5.1 Meetings generally open to the public\nMeetings being generally open to the public is dealt with in the Act.\n\n632 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n5.2 Meetings not open to the public\n(1) The CEO may, at any time, recommend that a meeting or part of a meeting be closed to members\nof the public (other than any person specified in a resolution).\n(2) The Council or a committee, in one or more of the circumstances dealt with in the Act, may at any\ntime, by resolution, decide to close to members of the public a meeting or part of a meeting.\n(3) If a resolution under subclause (2) is carried—\n(a) the presiding member is to direct everyone to leave the meeting except—\n(i) the members;\n(ii) any employee of the Town unless specified in a resolution; and\n(iii) any other person specified in a resolution; and\n(b) the meeting is to be closed to the public until, at the conclusion of the matter justifying the\nclosure of the meeting to the public, the Council or the committee, by resolution, decides\notherwise.\n(4) A person who fails to comply with a direction under subclause (3) may, by order of the presiding\nmember, be removed from the meeting.\n(5) A resolution under this clause may be made without notice of the relevant motion.\n(6) Unless the Council or the committee resolves otherwise, once the meeting is reopened to members\nof the public the presiding member is to ensure that—\n(a) any resolution of the Council or committee made while the meeting was closed is to be read\nout; and\n(b) the vote of a member or members is recorded in the minutes.\n5.3 Question time for the public\nQuestion time for the public is dealt with in the Act.\n5.4 Question time for the public at certain meetings\nQuestion time for the public at certain meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.\n5.5 Minimum question time for the public\nMinimum question time for the public is dealt with in the Regulations.\n5.6 Procedures for question time for the public\nProcedures for question time for the public are dealt with in the Regulations.\n5.7 Other procedures for question time for the public\n(1) A member of the public who wishes to ask a question during question time must—\n(a) first state his or her name and address;\n(b) direct the question to the presiding member;\n(c) ask the question briefly and concisely;\n(d) limit any preamble to matters directly relevant to the question; and\n(e) ensure that the question is not accompanied by any expression of opinion, statement of fact or\nother comment, except where necessary to explain the question.\n(2) Each member of the public with a question is entitled to ask up to 3 questions before other\nmembers of the public will be invited to ask their questions.\n(3) A member of the public may give prior written notice to the CEO of the text or substance of a\nquestion that he or she wishes to ask at a meeting.\n(4) Unless the presiding member determines otherwise, a question of which prior written notice has\nbeen given to the CEO is to be given priority in question time.\n(5) Where a member of the public gives written notice of a question, the presiding member may\ndetermine that the question is to be responded to as normal business correspondence.\n(6) A question may be taken on notice by the Council or committee for later response.\n(7) When a question is taken on notice, the CEO is to ensure that—\n(a) a written response is given to the person who asked the question; and\n(b) a summary of the response is included in the agenda for the next meeting of the Council or\ncommittee.\n(8) Where a question relating to a matter in which a person has an interest is directed to that person,\nthat person is to—\n(a) declare that he or she has an interest in the matter; and\n(b) allow another person to respond to the question.\n(9) A response to a question—\n(a) is to be brief and concise; and\n(b) is not to be the subject of any discussion, except that if in the opinion of a member, false\ninformation or any adverse reflection is contained in any question asked or comments made\nby a member of the public, then (through the presiding member) the member may correct or\nclarify the matter.\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 633\n(10) Where a response to a question is given at a meeting, a summary of the question and the\nresponse is to be included in the minutes.\n(11) The presiding member may decide that a question is not to be responded to where—\n(a) the same or similar question was asked at a previous meeting, a response was provided and\nthe person who asked the question is directed to the minutes of the meeting at which the\nresponse was provided;\n(b) it is in the form of a statement, provided that the presiding member has taken reasonable\nsteps to assist the person to phrase the statement as a question; or\n(c) the question is offensive or defamatory in nature, or is one which, if asked by a member,\nwould be in breach of this local law or any other law.\n(12) The Council or committee, by resolution, may agree to extend public question time.\n5.8 Distinguished visitor\nIf a distinguished visitor is present at a meeting of the Council or a committee, the presiding\nmember—\n(a) may invite the distinguished visitor to sit beside the presiding member or at the Council\ntable;\n(b) may acknowledge the presence of the distinguished visitor at an appropriate time during the\nmeeting; and\n(c) may direct that the presence of the distinguished visitor be recorded in the minutes.\n5.9 Deputations\n(1) Any person or group wishing to be received as a deputation by the Council is to either—\n(a) apply, before the meeting, to the CEO for approval; or\n(b) with the approval of the presiding member, at the meeting, address the Council.\n(2) The CEO may either—\n(a) approve the request and invite the deputation to attend a meeting of the Council; or\n(b) refer the request to the Council to decide by simple majority whether or not to receive the\ndeputation.\n(3) Unless the council resolves otherwise, a deputation invited to attend a Council meeting—\n(a) is not to exceed 5 persons, only 2 of whom may address the Council, although others may\nrespond to specific questions from Members;\n(b) is not to address the Council for a period exceeding 10 minutes without the agreement of the\nCouncil; and,\n(c) additional members of the deputation may be allowed to speak with the leave of the Presiding\nMember.\n(4) Any matter which is the subject of a deputation to the Council is not to be decided by the Council\nuntil the deputation has completed its presentation.\n5.10 Presentations\n(1) In this clause, a “presentation” means the acceptance of a gift or an award by the Council on\nbehalf of the local government or the community.\n(2) A presentation may be made to the Council at a meeting only with the prior approval of the CEO.\n5.11 Participation at committee meetings\n(1) In this clause a reference to a “person” is to a person who—\n(a) is entitled to attend a committee meeting;\n(b) attends a committee meeting; and\n(c) is not a member of that committee.\n(2) A member may attend, as an observer, any meeting of a committee of which he or she is not a\nmember or the deputy of a member, but is to sit in an area set aside by the CEO for observers\nseparated from the committee members.\n(3) Without the consent of the presiding member, no person is to address a committee meeting.\n(4) The presiding member of a committee may allow a person to make an oral submission to the\ncommittee for up to 3 minutes.\n(5) A person addressing the committee with the consent of the presiding member must cease that\naddress immediately after being directed to do so by the presiding member.\n(6) A person who fails to comply with a direction of the presiding member under subclause (5) may, by\norder of the presiding member, be removed from the committee room.\n(7) The Council may make a policy dealing with the circumstances in which a person may be given\nconsent to address a committee meeting.\n5.12 Public inspection of agenda material\nThe right of a member of the public to inspect the documents relating to a Council or committee\nmeeting are dealt with in the Regulations.\n\n634 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n5.13 Confidentiality of information withheld\n(1) Information withheld by the CEO from the public under regulation 14(2) of the Regulations is to\nbe—\n(a) identified in the agenda of a Council or committee meeting under the item “Matters behind\nclosed doors”;\n(b) marked “Confidential” in the agenda; and\n(c) kept confidential by members and employees until the Council or committee resolves\notherwise.\n(2) A member or an employee who has—\n(a) confidential information under subclause (1); or\n(b) information that is provided or disclosed for the purposes of or during a meeting or part of a\nmeeting that is closed to the public,\nmust not disclose any of that information to any person other than another member or an employee to\nthe extent necessary for the purpose of carrying out his or her duties.\n(3) Subclause (2) does not prevent a member or employee from disclosing information—\n(a) at a closed meeting;\n(b) to the extent specified by the Council and subject to such other conditions as the Council\ndecides;\n(c) that is already in the public domain;\n(d) to an officer of the Department;\n(e) to the Minister;\n(f) to a legal practitioner for the purpose of obtaining legal advice; or\n(g) if the disclosure is required or permitted by law.\n5.14 Recording of proceedings\n(1) The CEO may record the proceedings of a meeting in any other way that he or she considers to be\nappropriate.\n(2) Unless with the written authorisation of the presiding member, a person is not to use any\nelectronic, visual or audio recording device or instrument to record the proceedings of a meeting.\n(3) If a person is permitted to record proceedings under this clause, the presiding member is to advise\nthe meeting, immediately before the recording is commenced, that the recording is permitted and the\nextent of that permission.\n5.15 Prevention of disturbance\n(1) A reference in this clause to a “person” is to a person other than a member.\n(2) A person must ensure that his or her mobile telephone or audible pager is not switched on or used\nduring any meeting of the Council or a committee.\n(3) A person addressing the Council or a committee must extend due courtesy and respect to the\nCouncil or committee and the processes under which it operates and must comply with any direction\nby the presiding member.\n(4) A person present at or observing a meeting must not create a disturbance, by interrupting or\ninterfering with the orderly conduct of the proceedings, whether by expressing approval or dissent, by\nconversing or by any other means.\n(5) The presiding member may warn a person who fails to comply with this clause.\n(6) If—\n(a) after being warned, the person again acts contrary to this clause, or to this local law; or\n(b) a person refuses or fails to comply with a direction by the presiding member,\nthe presiding member may expel the person from the meeting by ordering him or her to leave the\nmeeting room.\n(7) A person who is ordered to leave the meeting room and fails to do so may, by order of the presiding\nmember, be removed from the meeting room and, if the presiding member orders, from the premises.\nPART 6—QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS\n6.1 Questions on notice\n(1) A member who wishes to ask a question at a meeting of the Council is to give to the CEO written\nnotice of the text of the question at least 7 clear working days before the meeting.\n(2) If the CEO considers that the question breaches or may breach this local law or any other law, the\nCEO must—\n(a) exclude the question from the agenda; and\n(b) give all members, as soon as practicable but not later than the next ordinary meeting, the\nreasons for the exclusion.\n(3) Notice of a question that is not withdrawn or excluded under subclause (1) is to be included, if\npracticable, in the agenda of the meeting, or is otherwise to be tabled at the meeting.\n(4) Every question and answer is to be submitted as briefly and concisely as possible and no\ndiscussion is to be allowed, unless with the consent of the presiding member.\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 635\n6.2 Questions during debate\nAt any time during the debate on a motion before the motion is put, a member may ask a question\nand, with the consent of the presiding member, may ask one or more further questions.\n6.3 Restrictions on questions and answers\n(1) Questions asked by a member, and responses given by a member or an employee—\n(a) are to be brief and concise; and\n(b) are not to be accompanied by—\n(i) expression of opinion, statement of fact or other comment, except where necessary to\nexplain the question or answer; or\n(ii) any discussion or further question, except with the consent of the presiding member.\n(2) In answering any question, a member or an employee may qualify his or her answer and may at a\nlater time in the meeting or at a later meeting alter, correct, add to or otherwise amend his or her\noriginal answer.\nPART 7—CONDUCT OF MEMBERS\n7.1 Members to occupy own seats\n(1) At Council meetings, members must be seated in the order as determined by Council following\neach ordinary election.\n(2) At committee meetings, committee members must be seated in those positions that are closest to\nthe presiding member followed by other members of Council.\n7.2 Official titles to be used\nA speaker, when speaking or referring to the Mayor or Deputy Mayor, or to a Councillor or employee,\nmust use the title of that person’s office.\n7.3 Entering or leaving a meeting\nDuring the course of a meeting, a member must not enter or leave the meeting without first giving an\nappropriate indication, in order to facilitate the recording in the minutes of the time of entry or\ndeparture.\n7.4 Members who wish to speak\n(1) A member who wishes to speak at a Council meeting—\n(a) must indicate his or her intention to speak by raising his or her hand, or by any other method\ndetermined by the Council; and\n(b) when invited by the presiding member to speak, and unless otherwise determined by the\nCouncil, must address the meeting through the presiding member.\n7.5 Priority of speaking\n(1) At a Council meeting, where 2 or more members of the Council indicate, at the same time, their\nintention to speak, the presiding member is to decide which member is entitled to be heard first.\n(2) At a committee meeting, the presiding member is first to invite committee members to speak\nfollowed, at the discretion of the presiding member, by other members and attendees.\n(3) A decision of the presiding member under this clause is not open to discussion or dissent.\n7.6 The presiding member may take part in debates\nSubject to compliance with procedures for the debate of motions contained in this local law, the\npresiding member may take part in a discussion of any matter before the meeting.\n7.7 Relevance\n(1) A member must restrict his or her remarks to the motion or amendment under discussion, or to a\npersonal explanation or point of order.\n(2) The presiding member, at any time, may—\n(a) call the attention of the meeting to any irrelevant or repetitious remarks by a member; or\n(b) direct that member, if speaking, to discontinue his or her speech.\n(3) A member must comply with the direction of the presiding member under subclause (2) by\nimmediately ceasing to speak.\n7.8 Speaking twice\n(1) A member must not address the Council or a committee more than once on any motion or\namendment except—\n(a) as the mover of a substantive motion, to exercise a right of reply;\n(b) to raise a point of order; or\n(c) to make a personal explanation.\n(2) A member who asks a question before speaking has not addressed the meeting for the purposes of\nthis clause.\n\n636 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n7.9 Duration of speeches\nA member must not speak on any matter for more than 5 minutes without the consent of the meeting\nwhich, if given, is to be given without discussion.\n7.10 No speaking after conclusion of debate\nA member must not speak on any motion or amendment—\n(a) after the mover has replied; or\n(b) after the question has been put.\n7.11 No interruption\nA member must not interrupt another member who is speaking unless—\n(a) to raise a point of order;\n(b) to call attention to the absence of a quorum;\n(c) to make a personal explanation under clause 7.15; or\n(d) to move a procedural motion that the member be no longer heard (see clause 10.1(e)).\n7.12 No reopening of discussion\nA member must not reopen a discussion on any Council or committee decision, except to move that\nthe decision be revoked or changed (see Part 14).\n7.13 Offensive language\n(1) A member must not reflect adversely on a decision of the Council or a committee except on a\nmotion that the decision be revoked or changed (see Part 14).\n(2) A member must not—\n(a) reflect adversely on the character or actions of another member or employee;\n(b) impute any motive to a member or employee; or\n(c) use an expression that is offensive or objectionable,\nunless the meeting resolves, without debate, that the matter before the meeting cannot otherwise be\nadequately considered.\n(3) A member must not use offensive or objectionable expressions in reference to any other member,\nemployee or other person.\n7.14 Withdrawal of offensive language\nA member who, in the opinion of the presiding member and in the absence of a resolution under\nclause 7.13(2)—\n(a) reflects adversely on the character or actions of another member or employee;\n(b) imputes any motive to a member or employee; or\n(c) uses an expression that is offensive or objectionable,\nmust, when directed by the presiding member, withdraw the reflection, imputation or expression and\nmake a satisfactory apology.\n7.15 Personal explanation\n(1) A member who wishes to make a personal explanation relating to a matter referred to by another\nmember who is then speaking must indicate to the presiding member his or her intention to make a\npersonal explanation.\n(2) The presiding member is to determine whether the personal explanation is to be heard\nimmediately or at the conclusion of the speech by the other member.\n(3) A member making a personal explanation must confine his or her observations to a succinct\nstatement relating to the specific part of the speech at which he or she may have been misunderstood.\nPART 8—PRESERVING ORDER\n8.1 Presiding member to preserve order\n(1) The presiding member is to preserve order and, whenever he or she considers it necessary, may\ncall any member to order.\n(2) When the presiding member rises or speaks during a debate, any member then speaking, or\nindicating that he or she wishes to speak, is immediately to sit down and every member present must\npreserve strict silence so that the presiding member may be heard without interruption.\n(3) Subclause (2) is not to be used by the presiding member to exercise the right provided in clause\n7.6, but to preserve order.\n8.2 Point of order\n(1) A member may object, by way of a point of order, only to a breach of—\n(a) this local law; or\n(b) any other written law.\n(2) Examples of valid points of order are—\n(a) a speaker’s remarks not being relevant to the motion or amendment being debated (see clause\n7.7); and\n(b) a speaker’s use of offensive or objectionable expressions (see clause 7.13).\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 637\n(3) Despite anything in this local law to the contrary, a point of order—\n(a) takes precedence over any discussion; and\n(b) until determined, suspends the consideration or discussion of any other matter.\n8.3 Procedures on a point of order\n(1) A member who is addressing the presiding member must not be interrupted except on a point of\norder.\n(2) A member interrupted on a point of order must resume his or her seat until—\n(a) the member raising the point of order has been heard; and\n(b) the presiding member has ruled on the point of order,\nand, if permitted, the member who has been interrupted may then proceed.\n8.4 Ruling by the presiding member\n(1) The presiding member is to rule on any point of order which is raised by either upholding or\nrejecting the point of order.\n(2) A ruling by the presiding member on a point of order—\n(a) is to be final unless the majority of members then present and voting, on a motion moved\nimmediately after the ruling, dissent from the ruling.\n(3) Subject to a motion of dissent being carried under subclause (2), if the presiding member rules\nthat—\n(a) any motion, amendment or other matter before the meeting is out of order, it is not to be\nconsidered further; and\n(b) a statement made or act done by a member is out of order, the presiding member may direct\nthe member to make an explanation, retraction or apology.\n8.5 Continued breach of order\nIf a member—\n(a) persists in any conduct that the presiding member had ruled is out of order; or\n(b) fails or refuses to comply with a direction from the presiding member (such as a direction\nunder clause 7.7(2)(b), 7.14 or 8.4(3)(b)),\nthe presiding member may direct the member to refrain from taking any further part in the debate of\nthe item, other than by voting, and the member must comply with that direction.\n8.6 Presiding member may adjourn meeting\n(1) For the purpose of preserving or regaining order, the presiding member may adjourn the meeting\nfor a period of up to 15 minutes.\n(2) On resumption, the debate is to continue at the point at which the meeting was adjourned.\n(3) If, at any one meeting, the presiding member adjourns the meeting more than once for the purpose\nof preserving or regaining order, the second or subsequent adjournment may be to a later time on the\nsame day or to another day.\nPart 9—Debate of substantive motions\n9.1 Motions to be stated and in writing\n(1) A member who wishes to move a substantive motion, or an amendment to a substantive motion—\n(a) is to state the substance of the motion before speaking to it; and\n(b) is to put the motion or amendment in writing if—\n(i) in the opinion of the presiding member, the motion or amendment is significantly\ndifferent to the relevant written recommendation of a committee or an employee\n(including a person who, under a contract for services with the Town, provides advice or\na report on the matter); or\n(ii) he or she is otherwise required to do so by the presiding member.\n(2) The written terms of the motion or amendment are to be given to the CEO who is to ensure that\nthey are recorded in the minutes.\n9.2 Motions to be supported\n(1) A substantive motion or an amendment to a substantive motion is not open to debate until it has\nbeen seconded.\n(2) A motion to revoke or change a decision made at a Council or a committee meeting is not open to\ndebate unless the motion has the support required under regulation 10 of the Regulations (see clause\n14.1 below).\n9.3 Unopposed business\n(1) Immediately after a substantive motion has been moved and seconded, the presiding member may\nask the meeting if any member opposes it.\n(2) If no member opposes the motion, the presiding member may put the motion to the vote without\ndebate.\n\n638 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n(3) A motion carried under subclause (2) is to be recorded in the minutes as a unanimous decision of\nthe Council or committee.\n(4) If a member opposes a motion, the motion is to be dealt with under this Part.\n(5) This clause does not apply to a motion or decision to revoke or change a decision which has been\nmade at a Council or committee meeting (see Part 14).\n9.4 Only one substantive motion at a time\nThe Council or committee—\n(a) is not to accept a substantive motion while another substantive motion is being debated; and\n(b) is not to consider more than one substantive motion at any time.\n9.5 Complex motions\nThe presiding member may require that a complex substantive motion, or a complex amendment to a\nsubstantive motion, is to be broken down and put in the form of more than one motion, each of which\nis to be put in sequence.\n9.6 Order of call in debate\nThe presiding member is to call speakers to a substantive motion in the following order—\n(a) the mover to state the motion;\n(b) a seconder to the motion;\n(c) the mover to speak to the motion;\n(d) the seconder to speak to the motion;\n(e) a speaker against the motion;\n(f) a speaker for the motion;\n(g) other speakers against and for the motion, alternating where possible; and\n(h) mover takes right of reply which closes debate.\n9.7 Limit of debate\nThe presiding member may offer the right of reply and put a substantive motion to the vote if he or\nshe believes that sufficient discussion has taken place even though all members may not have spoken.\n9.8 Member may require motion to be read\nA member may require the motion under discussion to be read at any time during a debate, but not so\nas to interrupt any other member who is speaking.\n9.9 Order of amendments\nAny number of amendments may be proposed to a substantive motion, but when an amendment is\nmoved to a substantive motion, no second or subsequent amendment is to be moved or considered\nuntil the first amendment has been withdrawn, lost or carried.\n9.10 Amendments must not negate original motion\nAn amendment to a substantive motion cannot negate the original motion or the intent of the original\nmotion.\n9.11 Relevance of amendments\nAn amendment must be relevant to the motion in respect of which it is moved.\n9.12 Mover of motion may speak on amendment\nAny member may speak during debate on an amendment.\n9.13 Effect of an amendment\nIf an amendment to a substantive motion is carried, the motion as amended then becomes the\nsubstantive motion, on which any member may speak and any further amendment may be moved.\n9.14 Withdrawal of motion and amendments\n(1) The Council or a committee may, without debate, grant leave to withdraw a substantive motion or\namendment on the request of the mover of the motion or amendment if—\n(a) it has the approval of the seconder; and\n(b) there is no voice expressed to the contrary by any member, in which case discussion on the\nmotion or amendment is to continue.\n(2) If either paragraph (a) or (b) of subclause (1) applies, the discussion on the motion or amendment\nis to continue.\n(3) Where an amendment has been proposed to a substantive motion, the substantive motion is not to\nbe withdrawn, except by consent of the majority of members present, until the amendment proposed\nhas been withdrawn or lost.\n9.15 Right of reply\n(1) The mover of a substantive motion has the right of reply.\n(2) The right of the reply may be exercised only—\n(a) where no amendment is moved to the substantive motion—at the conclusion of the discussion\non the motion; or\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 639\n(b) where one or more amendments have been moved to the substantive motion—at the\nconclusion of the discussion on the substantive motion and any amendments.\n(3) After the mover of the substantive motion has commenced the reply—\n(a) no other member is to speak on the motion; and\n(b) there is to be no further discussion on, or any further amendment to, the motion.\n(4) The right of the reply is to be confined to rebutting arguments raised by previous speakers and no\nnew matter is to be introduced.\n(5) At the conclusion of the right of reply, the substantive motion, or the substantive motion as\namended, is immediately to be put to the vote.\nPART 10—PROCEDURAL MOTIONS\n10.1 Permissible procedural motions\nIn addition to the right to move an amendment to a substantive motion (under Part 9), a member may\nmove any of the following procedural motions—\n(a) that the meeting proceed to the next item of business;\n(b) that the item be referred or adjourned to a Council or committee meeting;\n(c) that the meeting now adjourn;\n(d) that the motion be now put;\n(e) that the member be no longer heard;\n(f) that the ruling of the presiding member be disagreed with; and\n(g) that the meeting be closed to members of the public (see clause 5.2).\n10.2 No debate\n(1) The mover of a motion stated in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (f) or (g) of clause 10.1 may speak to the\nmotion for not more than 5 minutes, the seconder is not to speak other than to formally second the\nmotion, and there is to be no debate on the motion.\n(2) The mover of a motion stated in paragraph (d) or (e) of clause 10.1 may not speak to the motion,\nthe seconder is not to speak other than to formally second the motion, and there is to be no debate on\nthe motion.\n10.3 Who may move\nA member who has moved, seconded, or spoken for or against the substantive motion, or any\namendment to the substantive motion, cannot move any procedural motion which, if carried, would\nclose the debate on the substantive motion or amendment.\n10.4 Right of reply on substantive motion\nThe carrying of a procedural motion which closes debate on the substantive motion or amendment\nand forces a decision on the substantive motion or amendment does not deny the right of reply to the\nmover of the substantive motion.\n10.5 Meeting to proceed to the next business\nThe motion “that the meeting proceed to the next item of business”, if carried has the effect that—\n(a) the debate on the substantive motion or amendment ceases immediately;\n(b) no decision is made on the substantive motion;\n(c) the meeting moves to the next item of business; and\n(d) there is no requirement for the matter to be raised again for consideration.\n10.6 Item to be referred or adjourned\nA motion “that the item be referred or adjourned”—\n(a) is to state the time to which the debate is to be adjourned (and the reasons for the motion);\nand\n(b) if carried, has the effect that all debate on the substantive motion or amendment ceases\nimmediately, but continues at the meeting, and at the time, stated in the motion.\n10.7 Meeting now adjourn\n(1) A member is not to move or second more than one motion of adjournment during the same\nmeeting.\n(2) Before putting the motion for the adjournment, the presiding member may seek leave of the\nmeeting to deal first with matters that may be subject of an adoption by exception resolution (see\nclause 4.7).\n(3) A motion “that the meeting now adjourn”—\n(a) is to state the time and date to which the meeting is adjourned; and\n(b) if carried, has the effect that the meeting is adjourned to the time and date specified in the\nmotion.\n(4) A meeting adjourned under subclause (3) is to continue from the point at which it was adjourned,\nunless the presiding member or the meeting determines otherwise.\n\n640 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\n10.8 Motion to be put\n(1) If the motion “that the motion be now put”, is carried during discussion on a substantive motion\nwithout amendment, the presiding member is to offer the right of reply and then immediately put the\nmotion to the vote without further debate.\n(2) If the motion “that the motion be now put” is carried during debate of the amendment, the\npresiding member is to put the amendment to the vote without further debate.\n(3) This motion, if lost, causes debate to continue.\n10.9 Member to be no longer heard\nIf the motion “that the member be no longer heard”, is carried, the speaker against whom the motion\nhas been moved cannot speak further on the current substantive motion, or any amendment relating\nto it, except to exercise the right of reply if he or she is the mover of the substantive motion.\n10.10 Ruling of the presiding member be disagreed with\nIf the motion “that the ruling of the presiding member be disagreed with” is carried, that ruling is to\nhave no effect and the meeting is to proceed accordingly.\nPART 11—DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS\n11.1 Disclosure of interests\nThe requirements for members and employees to disclose financial and other interests, the nature of\nthe interests that must be disclosed, and related matters are dealt with in the Act, the Regulations,\nthe Rules of Conduct Regulations and the Code of Conduct.\n11.2 Separation of committee recommendations\nWhere, at a committee meeting, a member discloses a financial interest in a matter, and the matter is\nincluded in the recommendations (or part of the recommendations) of the committee to a Council or\ncommittee meeting that will or may be attended by the member, the agenda of that Council or\ncommittee meeting is to separate the relevant recommendation (or the relevant part of the\nrecommendation) from other recommendations of the committee.\nPART 12—VOTING\n12.1 Motion—when put\n(1) Immediately after the debate on any question is concluded and the right of reply has been\nexercised, the presiding member—\n(a) is to put the motion to the meeting; and\n(b) if requested by a member, is again to state the terms of the motion.\n(2) A member must not leave the meeting when the presiding member is putting any motion.\n12.2 Voting\nVoting is dealt with in the Act and the Regulations.\n12.3 Majorities required for decisions\nThe majorities required for decisions of the Council and committees are dealt with in the Act.\n12.4 Question—method of taking vote\nIn taking the vote on any motion, the presiding member—\n(a) is to put the motion, first in the affirmative, and then in the negative;\n(b) may put the motion in this way as often as may be necessary to enable him or her to\ndetermine whether the affirmative or the negative has the majority of votes;\n(c) is to count and determine the votes of members in any way (such as electronically or by a\nshow of hands) that enables a record to be taken of each member’s vote; and\n(d) subject to this clause, is to declare the result.\nPART 13—MINUTES\n13.1 Keeping of minutes\nThe keeping and confirmation of minutes are dealt with in the Act.\n13.2 Content of minutes\n(1) The content of minutes is dealt with in the Regulations.\n(2) In addition to the matters required by regulation 11 of the Regulations, the minutes of a meeting\nare to include, where an application for approval is refused or the authorisation of a licence, permit or\ncertificate is otherwise withheld or cancelled, the reasons for the decision.\n13.3 Public inspection of unconfirmed minutes\nThe public inspection of unconfirmed minutes is dealt with in the Regulations.\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 641\n13.4 Confirmation of minutes\n(1) The CEO is to give to each member—\n(a) the unconfirmed minutes of each Council meeting—within 10 working days after the\nmeeting; and\n(b) the unconfirmed minutes of a committee meeting—within 5 clear working days after the\nmeeting.\n(2) If a member is dissatisfied with the accuracy of the draft minutes, he or she is to provide to the\nCEO a written copy of the alternative wording to amend the draft minutes no later than 5 clear\nworking days before the meeting where the minutes are to be confirmed.\n(3) At that meeting, the member who provided the alternative wording shall, at the time for\nconfirmation of minutes—\n(a) state the item or items with which he or she is dissatisfied; and\n(b) propose a motion clearly outlining the alternative wording to amend the minutes.\nPART 14—IMPLEMENTING DECISIONS\n14.1 Requirements to revoke or change decisions\nThe requirements to revoke or change a decision made at a meeting are dealt with in regulation 10 of\nthe Regulations.\n14.2 Meaning of terms\nIn this Part—\nauthorisation means a licence, permit, approval or other means of authorising a person to do\nanything;\nimplement, in relation to a decision, includes—\n(a) communicate notice of the decision to a person affected by, or with an interest in, the\ndecision; and\n(b) take any other action to give effect to the decision; and\nvalid notice of revocation motion means a notice of a motion to revoke or change a decision\nthat—\n(a) complies with the requirements of the Act, Regulations and this local law and may be\nconsidered, but has not yet been considered, by the Council or a committee as the case\nmay be; and\n(b) if carried and implemented, would result in the decision being revoked or being\nsubstantially different.\n14.3 Limitations on powers to revoke or change decisions\n(1) Subject to subclause (2), the Council or a committee is not to consider a motion to revoke or change\na decision—\n(a) where, at the time the motion is moved or notice is given, any action has been taken under\nclause 14.4 to implement the decision;\n(b) where the decision concerns the grant of an authorisation, and where that authorisation has\nbeen communicated in writing by the Town to the applicant; or\n(c) where the decision is procedural in its form or effect.\n(2) The Council or a committee may consider a motion to revoke or change a decision of the kind\ndescribed in subclause (1)(a) or (b) if the motion is accompanied by a written statement, by or on\nbehalf of the CEO, of the legal and financial consequences of the motion being carried.\n14.4 Implementing a decision\n(1) Subject to subclause (4), and unless a resolution is made under subclause (2), a decision made at a\nmeeting is not to be implemented by the CEO or any other person until after 12 noon of the first clear\nworking day after the commencement of the meeting at which the decision was made.\n(2) The Council or a committee may, by resolution carried at the same meeting at which a decision\nwas made, request the CEO to take immediate action to implement the decision.\n(3) A decision made at a meeting is not to be implemented by the CEO or any other person—\n(a) if, before commencing any implementation action, the CEO or that person is given a valid\nnotice of revocation motion; and\n(b) unless and until the valid notice of revocation motion has been determined by the Council or\nthe committee as the case may be.\n(4) The CEO is to ensure that members of the public attending a meeting are informed, by an\nappropriate notice, that a decision to grant an authorisation—\n(a) is to take effect only in accordance with this clause; and\n(b) cannot be acted upon by the person who has been granted the authorisation unless and until\nthe decision has been implemented in accordance with this clause.\n\n642 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\nPART 15—SUSPENSION AND NON-APPLICATION OF MEETING PROCEDURES\n15.1 Suspension of Meeting Procedures\n(1) A member may, at any time, move that the operation of one or more of the clauses of this local law\nbe suspended.\n(2) A member moving a motion under subclause (1) is to identify the clause or clauses to be\nsuspended, and state the reasons for the motion, but no other discussion is to take place.\n(3) A motion under subclause (1) which is seconded and carried is to suspend the operation of the\nclause or clauses to which the motion relates for the duration of the meeting, unless the meeting\nearlier resolves otherwise.\n15.2 Where Meeting Procedures do not apply\n(1) In situations where—\n(a) this local law has been suspended; or\n(b) a matter is not regulated by the Act, the Regulations or this local law,\nthe presiding member is to decide questions relating to the conduct of the meeting.\n(2) The decision of the presiding member under subclause (1) is final, except where a motion of dissent\nis moved and carried under clause 10.10.\nPART 16—COMMITTEES\n16.1 Establishment and appointment of committees\n(1) The establishment of committees is dealt with in the Act.\n(2) A Council resolution to establish a committee under section 5.8 of the Act is to include—\n(a) the terms of reference or functions of the committee;\n(b) either—\n(i) the names or titles of the members, employees and any other persons to be appointed to\nthe committee; or\n(ii) the number of members, officers and any other persons to be appointed to the\ncommittee and a provision that they be appointed under a separate resolution; and\n(c) details of the delegation of any powers or duties to the committee under section 5.16 of the\nAct.\n16.2 Types of committees\nThe types of committees are dealt with in the Act.\n16.3 Delegation of some powers and duties to certain committees\nThe delegation of some powers and duties to certain committees is dealt with in the Act.\n16.4 Limits on delegation of powers and duties to certain committees\nThe limits on the delegation of powers and duties to certain committees are dealt with in the Act.\n16.5 Appointment of committee members\nThe appointment of committee members is dealt with in the Act.\n16.6 Tenure of committee membership\nTenure of committee membership is dealt with in the Act.\n16.7 Appointment of deputies\nThe appointment of a person to be a deputy of a member of committee is dealt with in the Act.\n16.8 Resignation of committee members\nThe resignation of committee members is dealt with in the Regulations.\n16.9 Register of delegations to committees\nThe register of delegations to committees is dealt with in the Act.\n16.10 Meeting Procedures to apply\nThis local law applies generally to committees.\n16.11 Committee to report\nA committee—\n(a) is answerable to the Council;\n(b) is to report on its activities when, and to the extent, required by the Council; and\n(c) is to prepare and submit to the Council a report containing recommendations.\n16.12 Presentation of committee reports\nThe proposed adoption by the Council of recommendations of a committee is to be moved—\n(a) if the presiding member of the committee is a Council member and is in attendance—by the\npresiding member;\n\n18 January 2017 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 643\n(b) if the presiding member of the committee is not a Council member or is absent—by a member\nof the committee who is also a Council member; or\n(c) otherwise—by a Council member who is not a member of the committee.\n16.13 Reports of committees—questions\nWhere a recommendation of a committee is submitted for adoption by the Council, any Council\nmember may direct questions directly relating to the recommendation, through the presiding\nmember, to the presiding member of the committee or to any member of the committee in attendance.\n16.14 Permissible motions on committee recommendations\nA recommendation made by a committee may be—\n(a) adopted by the Council without amendment;\n(b) rejected by the Council and replaced by an alternative decision;\n(c) amended, and adopted as amended, by the Council; or\n(d) referred back to the committee for further consideration.\nPART 17—MEETING OF ELECTORS\n17.1 Electors’ general meetings\nElectors’ general meetings are dealt with in the Act.\n17.2 Matters for discussion at general electors’ meeting\nThe matters to be discussed at a general electors’ meeting are dealt with in the Regulations.\n17.3 Electors’ special meetings\nElectors’ special meetings are dealt with in the Act.\n17.4 Requests for electors’ special meetings\nRequests for electors’ special meetings are dealt with in the Regulations.\n17.5 Convening electors’ meetings\nConvening electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act.\n17.6 Who presides at electors’ meetings\nWho presides at electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act.\n17.7 Procedure for electors’ meetings\n(1) The procedure for electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act and the Regulations.\n(2) In exercising his or her discretion to determine the procedure to be followed at an electors’\nmeeting, the presiding member is to have regard to this local law.\n17.8 Participation of non-electors\nA person who is not an elector or ratepayer of the Town must not take part in any discussion at an\nelectors’ meeting unless the meeting, by resolution, permits him or her to do so.\n17.9 Voting at electors’ meetings\nVoting at electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.\n17.10 Minutes of electors’ meetings\nMinutes of electors’ meetings are dealt with in the Act.\n17.11 Decisions made at electors’ meetings\nDecisions made at electors’ meetings are dealt with in the Act.\nPART 18—ENFORCEMENT\n18.1 Penalty for breach\nA person who breaches a provision of this local law commits an offence.\nPenalty—as listed in the First Schedule or if not otherwise provided: $1,000, and a daily penalty of\n$100 if the offence continues.\n18.2 Who can prosecute\nWho can prosecute is dealt with in the Act.\n————\n\n644 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 January 2017\nFIRST SCHEDULE—PENALTIES\n(Clause 1.81)\nItem\nNo.\nClause\nNo.\nNature of offence Maximum\npenalty $\n1 5.13(2) Disclosure of confidential information under clause 5.13 (1) or;\ndisclosure of information that is provided or disclosed for the\npurposes of or during a meeting or part of a meeting that is\nclosed to the public to any person other than another member\nor an employee to the extent necessary for the purpose of\ncarrying out his or her duties.\n$1000\n2 5.15(3) Failure to extend due courtesy and respect to the Council or\ncommittee and the processes under which it operates and to\ncomply with any direction by the presiding member.\n$1000\n3 5.15(4) Creating disturbance, by interrupting or interfering with the\norderly conduct of the proceedings, whether by expressing\napproval or dissent, by conversing or by any other means.\n$1000\n4 7.13(2) Reflecting adversely on the character or actions of another\nmember or employee; imputing any motive to a member or\nemployee; or using an expression that is offensive or\nobjectionable.\n$1000\n5 7.13(3) Use of offensive or objectionable expressions in reference to any\nother member, employee or other person.\n$1000\n6 8.1(2) When the presiding member rises or speaks during a debate,\nany member then speaking, or indicating that he or she wishes\nto speak, is immediately to sit down and every member present\nmust preserve strict silence so that the presiding member may\nbe heard without interruption.\n$500\n————\nDated: 5 January 2017.\nThe Common Seal of the Town of East Fremantle was affixed by authority of a resolution of the\nCouncil in the presence of—\nJIM O’NEILL, Mayor.\nGARY TUFFIN, Chief Executive Officer.\n———————————","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of regulating meeting procedures for the Town of East Fremantle. While comprehensive (covering committees and electors' meetings as well as Council meetings), this breadth is consistent with the stated intent in clause 1.3 to provide rules for 'meetings of the Council and its committees and to meetings of electors'. It replaces a 1965 by-law with updated but functionally equivalent procedural rules rather than expanding into new substantive policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["18 Parts with 80+ clauses covering distinct procedural areas (meetings, voting, conduct, committees, electors, enforcement)","Frequent cross-references to the Local Government Act 1995 and Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996—many clauses simply defer to these external instruments rather than stating the rule directly","Nested conditional logic: multiple clauses contain 'unless' exceptions and sub-conditions (e.g., clause 4.6 on urgent business requires both urgency AND specific harm thresholds)","Defined terms section with 18 specific definitions including technical terms like 'absolute majority', 'special majority', 'substantive motion', and 'minor amendment'","Detailed procedural requirements with multiple steps: for example, clause 3.12 sets out a three-stage process for handling lack of quorum (15-minute suspension, optional 30-minute extension, then adjournment)","Specific time limits throughout: 72 hours notice for special meetings, 7 clear working days for notices of motion, 5-minute speech limits, 3-hour meeting limits with 1-hour extensions","Multiple exceptions to general rules: e.g., clause 4.7 lists 5 specific circumstances where 'adoption by exception' resolutions cannot be used","Interaction between substantive motions, amendments, and procedural motions creates layered decision-making pathways (Parts 9 and 10)"],"plain_english_summary":"This local law sets the rules for how East Fremantle council, committee and electors’ meetings are called, run and recorded, including public participation, councillor conduct, decision-making and penalties for breaches. It governs the Mayor, councillors, council staff and anyone attending or speaking at meetings. By modernising and clarifying procedures (replacing a 1965 by-law), it aims to keep meetings transparent, orderly and fair while enabling efficient decision-making."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No. Clause 1.3 defines the instrument’s scope as applying to conduct of Council meetings, committee meetings and electors’ meetings. Clause 1.5 repeals the 1965 standing-orders by-law and replaces it, but the local law largely frames procedural detail while leaving reserved statutory topics to the Local Government Act and Regulations (see clause 1.3(2)). The instrument therefore replaces earlier standing orders without expanding beyond the meeting-related scope set out in clause 1.3."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-references to external statutes and instruments (Local Government Act 1995, Regulations, Rules of Conduct Regulations) that require reading multiple sources to understand effect (see clause 1.3(2) and numerous Part headings noting matters are \"dealt with in the Act/Regulations\").","Significant discretion given to the CEO and presiding member on procedural questions (e.g. CEO may vary notice for urgent meetings 2.3(3); CEO may exclude or amend notices of motion 4.5(4); presiding member determines minor amendments 4.5(9); presiding member decides recording authorisations 5.14(2)).","Detailed, interlocking procedural rules for motions, amendments, procedural motions, debate order and limits (Parts 4, 9 and 10) produce many branching decision paths and timing constraints (e.g. notice deadlines at 4.5(2), 6.1(1); speaking limits at 7.9).","Temporal and implementation complexity from staggered notice, minutes and implementation rules (special meeting notice 2.3(2–3); notice periods for motions and questions 4.5(2), 6.1(1); minute distribution 13.4(1); delay/conditions on implementing decisions 14.4(1–3)).","Confidentiality and limited disclosure rules tied to penalties create legal risk for members and staff (confidentiality constraints 5.13(2); offence and penalty structure Part 18 and First Schedule).","Special procedural devices and exceptions (adoption by exception 4.7 with enumerated exclusions; emergency/urgent business 4.6) add conditional complexity to ordinary workflows.","Committee establishment, delegation and reporting rules interlock with Council procedures and external delegations (Part 16: clauses 16.1, 16.3–16.4, 16.11–16.14), requiring coordination of delegation limits and reporting.","Quorum, suspension and order-preservation mechanisms (3.12, 8.1–8.6, 15.1–15.2) create operational constraints that can interrupt business and shift decision-making to presiding discretion.","Multiple voting and majority rules with different thresholds are governed both here and by the Act/Regulations, requiring cross-checking for where absolute, special or simple majorities apply (Parts 11–12 and cross-references).","Penalties and prosecutorial arrangements are present but partly unspecified here (18.1 and First Schedule list specific offences and fines), so practical enforcement depends on complementary statutory provisions."],"plain_english_summary":"This local law prescribes how meetings of the Town of East Fremantle’s Council, its committees and electors’ meetings are run—setting notice periods, agendas, speaking and voting procedures, public question time, confidentiality rules, and penalties. It affects councillors, council staff and members of the public by allocating decision-making discretion to the CEO and presiding member, imposing notice/timing and disclosure obligations, and creating compliance and enforcement consequences that shape how quickly and transparently local decisions are made."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016","history":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016/history","analysis":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/east-fremantle-town-of-meeting-procedures-local-law-2016/documents"}}