2272GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 17 March 2022

2272 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 17 March 2022 (7) Once every member of the public has had the opportunity to make a submission the presiding member is to close the meeting. (8) The CEO is to ensure that a report is included on the agenda of the next council meeting summarising each submission made at the meeting. (9) The council must not resolve on the matter that is the subject of a meeting to provide the opportunity to be heard until it has received the CEO’s report under subclause (8). 6.14 Public inspection of agenda materials The right of the public to inspect the documents referred to, and in accordance with, regulation 14 of the Regulations, may be exercised at 13 Cottrell Street Dowerin WA 6461 and on the local government’s website. 6.15 Confidentiality of information withheld (1) Information withheld by the CEO from the public under regulation 14(2) of the Regulations is to be— (a) identified in the agenda of a Council meeting under the item “Matters for which meeting may be closed”; (b) marked “Confidential” in the agenda; and (c) kept confidential by members and employees until the council resolves otherwise. (2) A member or an employee in receipt of confidential information under subclause (1) or information that is provided or disclosed during a meeting or part of a meeting that is closed to the public is not to disclose any of that information to any person other than another member or an employee to the extent necessary for the purpose of carrying out his or her duties. (3) Subclause (2) does not apply where a member or employee discloses the information to his or her lawyer or a government employee for the purpose of seeking advice in order to lawfully fulfil his or her role and responsibilities. 6.16 Recording of proceedings A person is not to use any electronic, visual or audio recording device or instrument to record the proceedings of the council without the permission of the presiding member. 6.17 Prevention of disturbance (1) A reference in this clause to a person is to a person other than a member. (2) A person addressing the council shall extend due courtesy and respect to the council and the processes under which it operates and shall comply with any direction by the presiding member. (3) A person observing a meeting shall not create a disturbance at a meeting, by interrupting or interfering with the proceedings, whether by expressing approval or dissent, by conversing or by any other means. (4) A person shall ensure that his or her mobile telephone or audible pager is not switched on or used during any meeting of the council. (5) A person shall not behave in a manner that is contrary to section 75 of the Criminal Code. PART 7— QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS 7.1 With due notice (1) A question on notice is to be given by a member in writing to the CEO at least four (4) business days before the meeting at which it is raised. (2) If the question referred to in subclause (1) is in order, the answer is, so far as practicable, to be included in written form in the agenda of the meeting, or otherwise tabled at that meeting. (3) Every question and answer is to be submitted as briefly and concisely as possible and no discussion is to be allowed thereon, unless with the consent of the presiding member. 7.2 Without due notice (1) Members may ask questions relating to an item on the notice paper or on matters related to the good government of persons in the district. (2) A member requesting general information from an employee at a Council or committee meeting may ask a question without notice and with the consent of the presiding member, may ask one or more further questions of that employee or another employee present at the meeting. (3) Where possible the employee must endeavour to answer the question to the best of his or her knowledge and ability, however, if the information is unavailable or the answer requires research or investigation, the employee may ask that— (a) the question be placed on notice for the next meeting of Council; or committee; and (b) the answer to the question be given to the member who asked it within 14 days. (4) Every question and answer— (a) is to be brief and concise; and (b) is not to be accompanied by argument, expression of opinion or statement of facts, except to the extent necessary to explain the question or answer. (5) In answering any question, an employee may qualify his or her answer and may at a later time in meeting or at a subsequent meeting alter, correct, add to or otherwise amend the original answer.