3414GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 8 August 2016

3414 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 8 August 2016 (c) the member of the public asks a question that is offensive or defamatory in nature, provided that the presiding member has taken all reasonable steps to assist the member of the public to phrase the question in a manner that is not offensive or defamatory. (9) The presiding member may agree to extend public question time beyond the prescribed 15 minutes, but not more than an additional 15 minutes. (10) Where an answer to a question is given at a meeting, a summary of the question and the answer is to be included in the minutes. 6.8 Distinguished visitors If a distinguished visitor is present at a meeting of the Council, the presiding member may acknowledge the presence of the distinguished visitor at an appropriate time during the meeting, and the presence of that visitor shall be recorded in the minutes. 6.9 Deputations (1) Any person or group wishing to be received as a deputation by the Council is to either— (a) apply, before the meeting, to the CEO for approval; or (b) with the approval of the presiding member, at the meeting, address the Council. (2) The CEO may either— (a) approve the request and invite the deputation to attend a meeting of the Council; or (b) refer the request to the Council to decide by simple majority whether or not to receive the deputation. (3) Unless the council resolves otherwise, a deputation invited to attend a Council meeting— (a) is not to exceed 5 persons, only 2 of whom may address the Council, although others may respond to specific questions from members; (b) is not to address the Council for a period exceeding 10 minutes without the prior agreement of the presiding member under subclause (1) or resolution of Council; and (c) additional members of the deputation may be allowed to speak with the permission of the presiding member if providing additional information. (4) A person addressing the Council is to cease that address immediately after being directed to do so by the presiding member in order to preserve order, the time permitted has expired or the presentation has diverged from the purpose of the deputation. (5) A person who fails to comply with a direction of the presiding member under subclause (4) may, by order of the presiding member, be removed from the meeting. (6) Any matter which is the subject of a deputation to the Council is not to be decided by the Council until the deputation has completed its presentation. 6.10 Petitions (1) A petition to the local government is to— (a) be addressed to the President; (b) be made by electors of the district; (c) state the request on each page of the petition; (d) contain the name, address and signature of each elector making the request, and the date each elector signed; (e) contain a summary of the reasons for the request; and (f) state the name of the person to whom, and an address at which, notice to the petitioners can be given. (2) Upon receiving a petition, the local government is to submit the petition to the relevant officer to be included in his or her deliberations and report on the matter that is the subject of the petition, subject to subclause (3). (3) At any meeting, the Council is not to vote on any matter that is the subject of a petition presented to that meeting, unless— (a) the matter is the subject of a report included in the agenda; and (b) the Council has considered the issues raised in the petition. 6.11 Presentations (1) In this clause, a “presentation” means the acceptance of a gift or an award by the Council on behalf of the local government or the community. (2) A presentation may be made to the Council at a meeting only with the prior approval of the President or CEO. 6.12 Participation at committee meetings (1) In this clause a reference to a person is to a person who— (a) is entitled to attend a committee meeting; (b) attends a committee meeting; and (c) is not a member of that committee. (2) Without the consent of the presiding member, no person is to address a committee meeting.