SHIRE OF LEONORA
———————————
MEETING PROCEDURES LOCAL
LAW 2022
18 May 2022 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2991
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1995
SHIRE OF LEONORA
MEETING PROCEDURES LOCAL LAW 2022
Under the powers conferred by the
Local Government Act 1995 and under all other relevant powers,
the Council of the Shire of Leonora resolved on 26 April 2022 to make the following local law.
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1.1 Citation
This local law may be cited as the
Shire of Leonora Meeting Procedures Local Law 2022.
1.2 Commencement
This local law comes into operation 14 days after the date of its publication in the
Government Gazette.
1.3 Application and intent
(1) These Local Laws provide rules and guidelines which apply to the conduct of meetings of the Council
and its committees and to meetings of electors.
(2) All meetings are to be conducted in accordance with the Act, the Regulations and these Local Laws.
(3) These Local Laws are intended to result in—
(a) better decision-making by the Council and committees;
(b) the orderly conduct of meetings dealing with Council business;
(c) better understanding of the process of conducting meetings; and
(d) the more efficient and effective use of time at meetings.
1.4 Interpretation
(1) In these Local Laws unless the context otherwise requires—
absolute majority has the meaning given to it in the Act;
Act means the
Local Government Act 1995;
CEO means the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government;
committee means a committee of the Council established under section 5.8 of the Act;
committee meeting means a meeting of a committee;
Council means the Council of the Shire of Leonora;
Local Government means the Shire of Leonora;
President means the President of the Local Government or other Presiding Member at a Council
meeting under section 5.6 of the Act;
meeting means a meeting of the Council or a committee, as the context requires;
Member has the meaning given to it in the Act;
Presiding Member means—
(a) in respect of the Council, the person presiding under section 5.6 of the Act; and
(b) in respect of a committee, the person presiding under sections 5.12, 5.13, and 5.14 of the
Act;
Regulations means the
Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996;
simple majority means more than 50% of the members present and voting; and,
substantive motion means an original motion or an original motion as amended, but does not
include an amendment or a procedural motion.
(2) Unless otherwise defined in these Local Laws, the terms and expressions used in these Local Laws
are to have the meaning given to them in the Act and Regulations.
1.5 Repeal
The
Shire of Leonora Standing Orders Local Law 1998 published in the
Government Gazette on 28 July
1998 is repealed.
PART 2—ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES
2.1 Establishment of committees
(1) The establishment of committees is dealt with in the Act.
(2) A Council resolution to establish a committee under section 5.8 of the Act is to include—
(a) the terms of reference of the committee;
(b) the number of council members, officers and other persons to be appointed to the committee;
(c) the names or titles of the council members and officers to be appointed to the committee;
2992 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 May 2022
(d) the names of other persons to be appointed to the committee or an explanation of the procedure
to be followed to determine the appointments; and
(e) details of the delegation of any powers or duties to the committee under section 5.16 of the Act.
(3) These Local Laws are to apply to the conduct of committee meetings.
2.2 Types of committees
The types of committees are dealt with in the Act.
2.3 Delegation of some powers and duties to certain committees
The delegation of some powers and duties to certain committees is dealt with in the Act.
2.4 Limits on delegation of powers and duties to certain committees
The limits on the delegation of powers and duties to certain committees are dealt with in the Act.
2.5 Appointment of committee members
The appointment of committee members is dealt with in the Act.
2.6 Tenure of committee membership
Tenure of committee membership is dealt with in the Act.
2.7 Resignation of committee members
The resignation of committee members is dealt with in the Regulations.
2.8 Register of delegations to committees
The register of delegations to committees is dealt with in the Act.
2.9 Committees to report
A committee—
(a) is answerable to the Council; and
(b) is to report on its activities when, and to the extent, required by the Council.
PART 3—CALLING AND CONVENING MEETINGS
3.1 Ordinary and special Council meetings
(1) Ordinary and special Council meetings are dealt with in the Act.
(2) An ordinary meeting of the Council, held on a monthly basis or otherwise as determined by the
Council, is for the purpose of considering and dealing with the ordinary business of the Council.
(3) A special meeting of the Council is held for the purpose of considering and dealing with Council
business that is urgent, complex in nature, for a particular purpose or confidential.
3.2 Calling Council meetings
The calling of Council meetings is dealt with in the Act.
3.3 Convening Council meetings
(1) The convening of a Council meeting is dealt with in the Act.
(2) Subject to subclause (3), the CEO is to give at least 72 hours notice, for the purposes of section 5.5
of the Act, in convening a special meeting of the Council.
(3) Where, in the opinion of the President or at least one-third of the Members, there is a need to meet
urgently, the CEO may give a lesser period of notice of a special Council meeting.
3.4 Calling committee meetings
The CEO is to call a meeting of any committee when requested by the President, the Presiding Member
of a committee or any two members of that committee.
3.5 Public notice of meetings
Public notice of meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.
PART 4—PRESIDING MEMBER AND QUORUM
Division 1: Who presides
4.1 Who presides
Who presides at a Council meeting is dealt with in the Act.
4.2 When the Deputy President can act
When the Deputy President can act is dealt with in the Act.
4.3 Who acts if no President
Who acts if there is no President is dealt with in the Act.
4.4 Election of Presiding Members of committees
The election of Presiding Members of committees and their deputies is dealt with in the Act.
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4.5 Election of Deputy Presiding Members of committees
The election of Deputy Presiding Members of committees is dealt with in the Act.
4.6 Functions of Deputy Presiding Members
The functions of Deputy Presiding Members are dealt with in the Act.
4.7 Who acts if no Presiding Member
Who acts if no Presiding Member is dealt with in the Act.
Division 2—Quorum
4.8 Quorum for meetings
The quorum for meetings is dealt with in the Act.
4.9 Reduction of quorum for Council meetings
The power of the Minister to reduce the number for a quorum and certain majorities is dealt with in
the Act.
4.10 Reduction of quorum for committee meetings
The reduction of a quorum for committee meetings is dealt with in the Act.
4.11 Procedure where no quorum to begin a meeting
The procedure where there is no quorum to begin a meeting is dealt with in the Regulations.
4.12 Procedure where quorum not present during a meeting
If at any time during a meeting a quorum is not present, the Presiding Member is—
(a) immediately to suspend the proceedings of the meeting for a period of up to 15 minutes; and
(b) if a quorum is not present at the expiry of that period, the Presiding Member is to adjourn the
meeting to some future time or date.
4.13 Names to be recorded
At any meeting—
(a) at which there is not a quorum present; or
(b) which is adjourned for want of a quorum,
the names of the Members then present are to be recorded in the minutes.
PART 5—BUSINESS OF A MEETING
5.1 Business to be specified
(1) No business is to be transacted at any ordinary meeting of the Council other than that specified in
the agenda, without the approval of the Presiding Member or the Council.
(2) No business is to be transacted at a special meeting of the Council other than that given in the notice
as the purpose of the meeting.
(3) Subject to subclause (4), no business is to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of the Council other
than that—
(a) specified in the notice of the meeting which had been adjourned; and
(b) which remains unresolved.
(4) Where a meeting is adjourned to the next ordinary meeting of the Council then, unless the Council
resolves otherwise, the business unresolved at the adjourned meeting is to be dealt with before
considering Reports (Item 10) at that ordinary meeting.
5.2 Order of business
(1) Unless otherwise decided by the Council the order of business at any ordinary meeting of the Council
is to be as follows—
Declaration of Opening/Announcement of Visitors
Disclaimer Notice
Council Meeting Information Notes
Announcements from the Presiding Member
Record of Attendance / Apologies / Leave of Absence
5.1 Attendance
5.2 Apologies
5.3 Approved leave of absence
Declarations of interest
6.1 Declarations of Financial Interests
6.2 Declarations of Proximity Interests
6.3 Declarations of Impartiality Interests
Public Question Time
7.1 Response to previous public questions taken on notice
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7.2 Public question time
8. Confirmation of minutes of previous meetings
9. Presentations
9.1 Petitions
9.2 Presentations
9.3 Deputations
9.4 Delegates’ reports
10. Reports
10.1 Reports of Committees
10.2 Chief Executive Officer Reports
10.3 Deputy Chief Executive Officer Reports
10.4 Environmental Health Officer Reports
10.5 Elected Members Reports
11. Applications for leave of absence
12. Motions of which previous notice has been given
13. Questions from Members without notice
14. New business of an urgent nature introduced by decision of the meeting
14.1 Elected Members
14.2 Officers
15. Meeting closed to public
15.1 Matters for which the meeting may be closed
15.2 Public reading of resolutions that may be made public
16. State Council Agenda
17. Next Meeting
18. Closure of Meeting
(2) Unless otherwise decided by the Council, the order of business at any special meeting of the Council
is to be the order in which that business stands in the agenda of the meeting.
(3) In determining the order of business for any meeting of the Council, the provisions of the Act and
Regulations relating to the time at which public question time is to be held are to be observed.
5.3 Motions of which previous notice has been given
(1) Unless the Act, Regulations or these Local Laws otherwise provide, a Member may raise at a
meeting such business as he or she considers appropriate, in the form of a motion, of which notice has
been given in writing to the CEO and which has been included on the agenda.
(2) A notice of motion under subclause (1) is to be given at least 8 clear working days before the meeting
at which the motion is moved.
(3) A notice of motion is to relate to the good governance of the district.
(4) The CEO—
(a) may, with the concurrence of the President, exclude from the notice paper any notice of motion
deemed to be, or likely to involve, a breach of any of these Local Laws or any other written law;
(b) will inform Members on each occasion that a notice has been excluded and the reasons for that
exclusion;
(c) may, after consultation with the Member where this is practicable, make such amendments to
the form but not the substance as will bring the notice of motion into due form; and
(d) may provide to the Council relevant and material facts and circumstances pertaining to the
notice of motion on such matters as policy, budget and law.
(5) A motion of which notice has been given is to lapse unless—
(a) the Member who gave notice of it, or some other Member authorised by the originating Member
in writing, moves the motion when called on; or
(b) the Council on a motion agrees to defer consideration of the motion to a later stage or date.
(6) If a notice of motion is given and lapses under subclause (5), notice of a motion in the same terms or
to the same effect is not to be given again for at least 3 months from the date of such lapse.
5.4 New business of an urgent nature
(1) In cases of extreme urgency or other special circumstances, matters may, on a motion by the
Presiding Member that is carried by the meeting, be raised without notice and decided by the meeting.
(2) In subclause (1), ‘cases of extreme urgency or other special circumstances’ means matters that have
arisen after the preparation of the agenda that are considered by the Presiding Member to be of such
importance and urgency that they are unable to be dealt with administratively by the Local
Government and must be considered and dealt with by the Council before the next meeting.
18 May 2022 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 2995
PART 6—PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6.1 Meetings generally open to the public
Meetings being generally open to the public is dealt with in the Act.
6.2 Meetings not open to the public
(1) The CEO may, at any time, recommend that a meeting or part of a meeting be closed to members of
the public.
(2) The Council or a committee, in one or more of the circumstances dealt with in the Act, may at any
time, by resolution, decide to close a meeting or part of a meeting.
(3) If a resolution under subclause (2) is carried—
(a) the Presiding Member is to direct everyone to leave the meeting except—
(i) the Members;
(ii) the CEO; and
(iii) any Officer specified by the Presiding Member; and
(b) the meeting is to be closed to the public until, at the conclusion of the matter justifying the
closure of the meeting to the public, the Council or the committee, by resolution, decides
otherwise.
(4) A person who fails to comply with a direction under subclause (3)(a) may, by order of the Presiding
Member, be removed from the meeting.
(5) While the resolution under subclause (2) remains in force, the operation of clause 8.9 is to be
suspended until the Council or the committee, by resolution, decides otherwise.
(6) A resolution under this clause may be made without notice.
(7) Unless the Council resolves otherwise, once the meeting is reopened to members of the public, the
Presiding Member is to ensure that any resolution of the Council made while the meeting was closed is
to be read out including a vote of a Member to be included in the minutes.
6.3 Question time for the public
Question time for the public is dealt with in the Act.
6.4 Question time for the public at certain meetings
Question time for the public at certain meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.
6.5 Minimum question time for the public
Minimum question time for the public is dealt with in the Regulations.
6.6 Procedures for question time for the public
Procedures for question time for the public are dealt with in the Regulations.
6.7 Other procedures for question time for the public
(1) A member of the public who raises a question during question time, is to state his or her name and
address.
(2) A question may be taken on notice by the Council for later response.
(3) When a question is taken on notice the CEO is to ensure that—
(a) a response is given to the member of the public in writing; and
(b) a summary of the response is included in the agenda of the next meeting of the Council.
(4) Where a question relating to a matter in which a relevant person has an interest is directed to the
relevant person, the relevant person is to—
(a) declare that he or she has an interest in the matter; and
(b) allow another person to respond to the question.
(5) Each member of the public with a question is entitled to ask up to 2 questions before other members
of the public will be invited to ask their questions.
(6) Where a member of the public provides written questions then the Presiding Member may elect for
the questions to be responded to as normal business correspondence.
(7) The Presiding Member may decide that a public question shall not be responded to where—
(a) the same or similar question was asked at a previous meeting, a response was provided and
the member of the public is directed to the minutes of the meeting at which the response was
provided;
(b) the member of the public uses public question time to make a statement, provided that the
Presiding Member has taken all reasonable steps to assist the member of the public to phrase
the statement as a question; or
(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.
(8) A member of the public shall have two minutes to submit a question.
(9) The Council, by resolution, may agree to extend public question time.
2996 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 18 May 2022
(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 agreement of the
Council; and,
(c) additional members of the deputation may be allowed to speak with the leave of the Presiding
Member.
(4) 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 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.
(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 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.
(3) The Presiding Member of a committee may allow a person to make an oral submission to the
committee for up to 3 minutes.
(4) A person addressing the committee with the consent of the Presiding Member is to cease that
address immediately after being directed to do so by the Presiding Member.
(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 committee room.
(6) The Council may make a policy dealing with the circumstances in which a person may be given
consent to address a committee meeting.
6.13 Council may meet to hear public submissions
(1) Where an item on the agenda at a Council meeting is contentious and is likely be the subject of a
number of deputations, the Council may resolve to meet at another time to provide a greater
opportunity to be heard.
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(2) The CEO and the President shall set the time and date of the meeting to provide the opportunity to
be heard.
(3) Where the Council resolves to meet to provide the opportunity to be heard under subclause (1), the
Presiding Member shall—
(a) instruct the CEO to provide local public notice of the time and date when the Council will meet
to provide an opportunity to be heard;
(b) provide a written invitation to attend the meeting to provide the opportunity to be heard to all
members of the public who have applied under clause 6.9 to make a deputation on the issue;
and
(c) cause minutes to be kept of the meeting to provide the opportunity to be heard.
(4) A meeting held under subclause (1) shall be conducted only to hear submissions. The council shall
not make resolutions at a meeting to provide the opportunity to be heard.
(5) At a meeting held under subclause (1), each person making a submission shall be provided with the
opportunity to fully state his or her case.
(6) A member of the public shall be limited to 10 minutes in making an oral submission, but this period
may be extended at the discretion of the Presiding Member.
(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 during normal business hours at the local governments offices 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 Officers and Members until the Council resolves otherwise.
(2) A member or an officer 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 officer to the extent
necessary for the purpose of carrying out his or her duties.
(3) Subclause (2) does not apply where a member or officer discloses the information to his or her lawyer
or government officer for the purpose of seeking advice in order to lawfully fulfil his or her role and
responsibilities.
6.16 Recording of proceedings
(1) 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.
(2) The Presiding Member is to notify a meeting immediately after its commencement if he/she has
given permission for it to be recorded under subclause (1).
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 Questions by Members
(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 Officer at a Council meeting may ask a question
without notice and with the consent of the Presiding Member, may ask one or more further questions
of that Officer or another Officer present at the meeting.
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(3) Where possible the Officer shall 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 Officer may ask that—
(i) the question be placed on notice for the next meeting of Council; and
(ii) the answer to the question be given to the Member who asked it within 14 days.
(4) Every question and answer—
(i) is to be brief and concise; and
(ii) 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 Officer may qualify his or her answer and may at a later time in the
meeting or at a subsequent meeting alter, correct, add to or otherwise amend the original answer.
PART 8—CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
8.1 Members to be in their proper places
(1) At the first meeting held after each election day, the CEO is to allot alphabetically a position at the
Council table to each Member.
(2) Each Member is to occupy his or her allotted position at each Council meeting.
8.2 Respect to the Presiding Member
After the business of a Council has been commenced, a Member is not to enter or leave the meeting
without first paying due respect to the Presiding Member.
8.3 Titles to be used
A speaker, when referring to the President, Deputy President or Presiding Member, or a Member or
Officer, is to use the title of that person’s office.
8.4 Advice of entry or departure
During the course of a meeting of the Council, a Member is not to enter or leave the meeting without
first advising the Presiding Member, in order to facilitate the recording in the minutes of the time or
entry or departure.
8.5 Members to indicate their intention to speak
(1) A member who wishes to speak at a Council meeting—
(i) Must indicate his or her intention to speak by raising his or her hand, or by any other method
determined by the Council; and
(ii) When invited by the Presiding Member to speak, and unless otherwise determined by the
Council, must stand and address the meeting through the Presiding Member.
(2) A member who is unable to stand conveniently because of sickness or disability may sit while
speaking.
8.6 Priority of speaking
(1) Where two or more Members indicate, at the same time, their intention to speak, the Presiding
Member is to decide which Member is entitled to be heard first.
(2) A decision of the Presiding Member under subclause (1) is not open to discussion or dissent.
(3) A Member is to cease speaking immediately after being asked to do so by the Presiding Member.
8.7 Presiding Member may take part in debates
The Presiding Member may take part in a discussion of any matter before the Council, subject to
compliance with these Local Laws.
8.8 Relevance
(1) A Member is to restrict his or her remarks to the motion or amendment under discussion, or to a
personal explanation or point of order.
(2) The Presiding Member, at any time, may—
(a) call the attention of the meeting to—
(i) any irrelevant, repetitious, offensive or insulting language by a Member; or
(ii) any breach of order by a Member; and
(b) direct that Member, if speaking, to discontinue his or her speech.
(3) A Member is to comply with the direction of the Presiding Member under subclause (2) by
immediately ceasing to speak.
8.9 Speaking twice
A Member is not to address the Council more than once on any motion or amendment except—
(a) as the mover of a substantive motion, to exercise a right of reply;
(b) to raise a point of order; or
(c) to make a personal explanation.
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8.10 Duration of speeches
(1) A Member is not to speak on any matter for more than 5 minutes without the consent of the Council
which, if given, is to be given without debate.
(2) An extension under this clause cannot be given to allow a Member’s total speaking time to exceed
10 minutes.
8.11 No speaking after conclusion of debate
A Member is not to speak on any motion or amendment—
(a) after the mover has replied; or
(b) after the question has been put.
8.12 No interruption
A Member is not to interrupt another Member who is speaking unless—
(a) to raise a point of order;
(b) to call attention to the absence of a quorum;
(c) to make a personal explanation under clause 8.13; or
(d) to move a procedural motion that the Member be no longer heard (see clause 11.1(e)) .
8.13 Personal explanations
(1) A Member who wishes to make a personal explanation relating to a matter referred to by another
Member who is then speaking is to indicate to the Presiding Member his or her intention to make a
personal explanation.
(2) The Presiding Member is to determine whether the personal explanation is to be heard immediately
or at the conclusion of the speech by the other Member.
(3) A Member making a personal explanation is to confine his or her observations to a succinct
statement relating to a specific part of the speech at which he or she may have been misunderstood.
8.14 No reopening of discussion
A Member is not to reopen discussion on any Council decision, except to move that the decision be
revoked or changed (see Part 16).
8.15 Adverse reflection
(1) A Member is not to reflect adversely on a decision of the Council except on a motion that the decision
be revoked or changed (see Part 16), unless the meeting resolves without debate that the matter before
the meeting cannot otherwise be adequately considered.
(2) A Member is not—
(a) to reflect adversely on the character or actions of another Member or Officer; or
(b) to impute any motive to a Member or Officer,
unless the meeting resolves, without debate, that the question then before the meeting cannot
otherwise be adequately considered.
(3) A Member is not to use offensive or insulting expressions in reference to any Member, Officer or
other person.
(4) If a Member specifically requests, immediately after their use, that any particular words used by a
Member be recorded in the minutes—
(a) the Presiding Member is to cause the words used to be taken down and read to the meeting for
verification; and
(b) the Council may, by resolution, decide to record those words in the minutes.
8.16 Withdrawal of offensive language
(1) A Member who, in the opinion of the Presiding Member, uses an expression which—
(a) in the absence of a resolution under clause 8.15—
(i) reflects adversely on the character or actions of another Member or Officer; or
(ii) imputes any motive to a Member or Officer; or
(b) is offensive or insulting,
must, when directed by the Presiding Member, withdraw the expression and make a satisfactory
apology.
(2) If a Member fails to comply with a direction of the Presiding Member under subclause (1), the
Presiding Member may refuse to hear the Member further on the matter then under discussion and
call on the next speaker.
PART 9—PRESERVING ORDER
9.1 Presiding Member to preserve order
(1) The Presiding Member is to preserve order, and, whenever he or she considers necessary, may call
any Member to order.
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(2) When the Presiding Member speaks during a debate, any Member then speaking, or indicating that
he or she wishes to speak, is immediately to sit down and every Member present is to preserve strict
silence so that the Presiding Member may be heard without interruption.
(3) Subclause (2) is not to be used by the Presiding Member to exercise the right provided in clause 8.7,
but to preserve order.
9.2 Point of order
(1) A Member may object, by way of a point of order, only to a breach of—
(a) any of these Local Laws; or
(b) any other written law.
(2) Despite anything in these Local Laws to the contrary, a point of order—
(a) takes precedence over any discussion; and
(b) until determined, suspends the consideration or discussion of any other matter.
9.3 Procedures on a point of order
(1) A Member who is addressing the Presiding Member is not to be interrupted except on a point of
order.
(2) A Member interrupted on a point of order is to resume his or her seat until—
(a) the Member raising the point of order has been heard; and
(b) the Presiding Member has ruled on the point of order,
and, if permitted, the Member who has been interrupted may then proceed.
9.4 Calling attention to breach
A Member may, at any time, draw the attention of the Presiding Member to any breach of these Local
Laws.
9.5 Ruling by the Presiding Member
(1) The Presiding Member is to rule on any point of order which is raised by either upholding or rejecting
the point of order.
(2) A ruling by the Presiding Member on a point of order is to be final unless the majority of Members
then present and voting, on a motion moved immediately after the ruling, dissent from the ruling.
(3) Subject to a motion of dissent being carried under subclause (2), if the Presiding Member rules
that—
(a) any motion, amendment or other matter before the meeting is out of order, it is not to be
considered further; and
(b) a statement made or act done by a Member is out of order, the Presiding Member may require
the Member to make an explanation, retraction or apology.
9.6 Continued breach of order
If a Member—
(a) persists in any conduct that the Presiding Member had ruled is out of order; or
(b) refuses to make an explanation, retraction or apology required by the Presiding Member under
clause 9.5(3),
the Presiding Member may direct the Member to refrain from taking any further part in the matter
under discussion, other than by voting, and the Member is to comply with that direction.
9.7 Right of Presiding Member to adjourn
(1) For the purpose of preserving or regaining order, the Presiding Member may adjourn the meeting
for a period of up to 15 minutes.
(2) On resumption, the debate is to continue at the point at which the meeting was adjourned.
(3) If, at any one meeting, the Presiding Member adjourns the meeting more than once for the purpose
of preserving or regaining order, the second or subsequent adjournment may be to a later time on the
same day or to another day.
PART 10—DEBATE OF SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS
10.1 Motions to be stated and in writing
Any Member who wishes to move a substantive motion or an amendment to a substantive motion—
(a) is to state the substance of the motion before speaking to it; and
(b) if required by the Presiding Member, is to put the motion or amendment in writing.
10.2 Motions to be supported
(1) A substantive motion or an amendment to a substantive motion is not open to debate until it has
been seconded.
(2) A motion to revoke or change a decision made at a Council meeting is not open to debate unless the
motion has the support required under regulation 10 of the Regulations.
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10.3 Unopposed business
(1) Immediately after a substantive motion has been moved and seconded, the Presiding Member may
ask the meeting if any Member opposes it.
(2) If no Member opposes the motion, the Presiding Member may declare it carried without debate and
without taking a vote.
(3) A motion declared carried under this clause is to be recorded in the minutes as a unanimous decision
of the Council.
(4) If a Member opposes a motion, the motion is to be dealt with under this Part.
(5) This clause does not apply to a motion to revoke or change a decision which has been made at a
Council meeting (see Part 16).
10.4 Only one substantive motion at a time
When a substantive motion is under debate at a meeting of the Council, no further substantive motion
is to be accepted. The Council is not to consider more than one substantive motion at any time.
10.5 Order of call in debate
The Presiding Member is to call speakers to a substantive motion in the following order—
(a) the mover to state the motion;
(b) a seconder to the motion;
(c) the mover to speak to the motion;
(d) the seconder to speak to the motion;
(e) a speaker against the motion;
(f) a speaker for the motion;
(g) other speakers against and for the motion, alternating where possible; and
(h) mover takes right of reply which closes debate.
10.6 Limit of debate
The Presiding Member may offer the right of reply and put a substantive motion to the vote if he or she
believes that sufficient discussion has taken place even though all Members may not have spoken.
10.7 Member may require question to be read
A Member may require the question or matter under discussion to be read at any time during a debate,
but not so as to interrupt any other Member who is speaking.
10.8 Consent of seconder required for alteration
The mover of a substantive motion may not alter the wording of the motion without the consent of the
seconder.
10.9 Order of amendments
Any number of amendments may be proposed to a substantive motion, but when an amendment is
moved to a substantive motion, no second or subsequent amendment is to be moved or considered until
the first amendment has been withdrawn, carried or lost.
10.10 Form of an amendment
An amendment must add, delete, or substitute words to the substantive motion.
10.11 Amendment must not negate original motion
An amendment to a substantive motion cannot negate the original motion or the intent of the original
motion.
10.12 Relevance of amendments
Each amendment is to be relevant to the motion in respect of which it is moved.
10.13 Mover of motion may speak on amendment
Any Member may speak during debate on an amendment.
10.14 Effect of an amendment
If an amendment to a substantive motion is carried, the motion as amended then becomes the
substantive motion, on which any Member may speak and any further amendment may be moved.
10.15 Withdrawal of motion or amendment
(1) Subject to subclause (2), the Council may, without debate, grant leave to withdraw a motion or
amendment on the request of the mover of the motion or amendment and with the approval of the
seconder.
(2) Where an amendment has been proposed to a substantive motion, the substantive motion is not to
be withdrawn, except by consent of the majority of Members present, until the amendment proposed
has been withdrawn or lost.
10.16 Right of reply
(1) The mover of a substantive motion has the right of reply.
(2) The mover of any amendment to a substantive motion has a right of reply.
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(3) The right of the reply may only be exercised—
(a) where no amendment is moved to the substantive motion—at the conclusion of the discussion
on the motion; or
(b) where one or more amendments have been moved to the substantive motion—at the conclusion
of the discussion on the substantive motion and any amendments.
(4) After the mover of the substantive motion has commenced the reply—
(a) no other Member is to speak on the question;
(b) there is to be no further discussion on, or any further amendment to, the motion.
(5) The right of the reply is to be confined to rebutting arguments raised by previous speakers and no
new matter is to be introduced.
(6) At the conclusion of the right of reply, the substantive motion, or the substantive motion as amended,
is immediately to be put to the vote.
PART 11—PROCEDURAL MOTIONS
11.1 Permissible procedural motions
In addition to the right to move an amendment to a substantive motion (under Part 10), a Member may
move the following procedural motions—
(a) that the meeting proceed to the next item of business;
(b) that the debate be adjourned;
(c) that the meeting now adjourn;
(d) that the question be now put;
(e) that the Member be no longer heard;
(f) that the ruling of the Presiding Member be disagreed with;
(g) that the meeting be closed to the public (see clause 6.2).
11.2 No debate
(1) The mover of a motion specified in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (f) or (g) of clause 11.1 may speak to the
motion for not more than five minutes, the seconder is not to speak other than to formally second the
motion, and there is to be no debate on the motion.
(2) The mover of a motion specified in paragraph (d) or (e) of clause 11.1 may not speak to the motion,
the seconder is not to speak other than to formally second the motion, and there is to be no debate on
the motion.
11.3 Who may move
No person who has moved, seconded, or spoken for or against the substantive motion, or any
amendment to the substantive motion, may move any procedural motion which, if carried, would close
the debate on the substantive motion or amendment.
11.4 Procedural motions—right of reply on substantive motion
The carrying of a procedural motion which closes debate on the substantive motion or amendment and
forces a decision on the substantive motion or amendment does not deny the right of reply to the mover
of the substantive motion.
11.5 Meeting to proceed to the next business
The motion “that the meeting proceed to the next business”, if carried, has the effect that—
(a) the debate on the substantive motion or amendment ceases immediately;
(b) no decision is made on the substantive motion;
(c) the Council moves to the next item of business; and
(d) there is no requirement for the matter to be raised again for consideration.
11.6 Debate to be adjourned
A motion “that the debate be adjourned”—
(a) is to state the time to which the debate is to be adjourned; and
(b) if carried, has the effect that all debate on the substantive motion or amendment ceases
immediately, but continues at the time stated in the motion.
11.7 Meeting now adjourn
(1) A Member is not to move or second more than one motion of adjournment during the same sitting
of the Council.
(2) Before putting the motion for the adjournment of the Council, the Presiding Member may seek leave
of the Council to deal first with matters that may be the subject of an adoption by exception resolution.
(3) A motion “that the meeting now adjourn”—
(a) is to state the time and date to which the meeting is to be adjourned; and
(b) if carried, has the effect that the meeting is adjourned to the time and date specified in the
motion.
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(4) A meeting adjourned under subclause (3) is to continue from the point at which it was adjourned,
unless the Presiding Member or the Council determines otherwise.
11.8 Question to be put
(1) If the motion “that the question be now put”, is carried during debate on a substantive motion
without amendment, the Presiding Member is to offer the right of reply and then put the motion to the
vote without further debate.
(2) If the motion “that the question be now put” is carried during discussion of an amendment, the
Presiding Member is to put the amendment to the vote without further debate.
(3) This motion, if lost, causes debate to continue.
11.9 Member to be no longer heard
If the motion “that the member be no longer heard”, is carried, the speaker against whom the motion
has been moved cannot speak further on the current substantive motion, or any amendment relating
to it, except to exercise the right of reply if he or she is the mover of the substantive motion.
11.10 Ruling of the Presiding Member to be disagreed with
If the motion “that the ruling of the Presiding Member be disagreed with”, is carried, that ruling is to
have no effect and the meeting is to proceed accordingly.
PART 12—DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS
12.1 Disclosure of interests
Disclosure of interests is dealt with in the Act.
PART 13—VOTING
13.1 Question—when put
(1) Immediately after the debate on any question is concluded and the right of reply has been exercised,
the Presiding Member—
(a) is to put the question to the Council; and
(b) if requested by any Member, is to again state the terms of the question.
(2) A Member is not to leave the meeting when the Presiding Member is putting any question.
13.2 Voting
Voting is dealt with in the Act and the Regulations.
13.3 Majorities required for decisions
The majorities required for decisions of the Council and committees are dealt with in the Act.
13.4 Method of taking vote
(1) In taking the vote on any motion or amendment the Presiding Member—
(a) is to put the question, first in the affirmative, and then in the negative;
(b) may put the question in this way as often as may be necessary to enable him or her to determine
whether the affirmative or the negative has the majority of votes;
(c) may accept a vote on the voices or may require a show of hands; and,
(d) is, subject to this clause, to declare the result.
(2) If a Member calls for a show of hands, the result of the vote is to be determined on the count of raised
hands.
(3) If a member of council or a committee specifically requests that there be recorded—
(a) his or her vote; or,
(b) the vote of all members present,
on a matter voted on at a meeting of the council or committee, the person presiding is to cause the vote
or votes, as the case may be, to be recorded in the minutes.
(4) If a Member calls for a division—
(a) those voting in the affirmative are to pass to the right of the Chair; and
(b) those voting in the negative are to pass to the left of the Chair.
(5) For every division, the CEO is to record—
(a) the name of each member who voted; and
(b) whether he or she voted in the affirmative or negative.
PART 14—MINUTES OF MEETINGS
14.1 Keeping of minutes
The keeping and confirmation of minutes are dealt with in the Act.
14.2 Content of minutes
(1) The content of minutes is dealt with in the Regulations.
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(2) In addition to the matters required by regulation 11, the minutes of a Council meeting is to include,
where an application for approval is refused or the authorisation of a licence, permit or certificate is
withheld or cancelled, the reasons for the decision.
14.3 Public inspection of unconfirmed minutes
The public inspection of unconfirmed minutes is dealt with in the Regulations.
14.4 Confirmation of minutes
(1) When minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Council are distributed for consideration prior to their
confirmation at the next meeting, if a Member is dissatisfied with the accuracy of the minutes, the
Member may provide the Local Government with a written copy of the alternative wording to amend
the minutes no later than 7 clear working days before the next ordinary meeting of the Council.
(2) At the next ordinary meeting of the Council, the Member who provided the alternative wording
shall, at the time for confirmation of minutes—
(a) state the item or items with which he or she is dissatisfied; and
(b) propose a motion clearly outlining the alternative wording to amend the minutes.
(3) Members must not discuss items of business contained in the minutes, other than discussion as to
their accuracy as a record of the proceedings.
PART 15—ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING
15.1 Meeting may be adjourned
The Council may adjourn any meeting—
(a) to a later time on the same day; or
(b) to any other time on any other day, including a time which coincides with the conclusion of
another meeting or event.
15.2 Effect of adjournment
Where any matter, motion, debate or meeting is adjourned under these Local Laws—
(a) the names of Members who have spoken on the matter prior to the adjournment are to be
recorded in the minutes;
(b) debate is to be resumed at the next meeting at the point where it was interrupted; and
(c) the provisions of clause 8.9 [speaking twice] apply when the debate is resumed.
PART 16—REVOKING OR CHANGING DECISIONS
16.1 Requirements to revoke or change decisions
The requirements to revoke or change a decision made at a meeting are dealt with in regulation 10 of
the Regulations.
16.2 Limitations on powers to revoke or change decisions
(1) Subject to subclause (2), the Council or a committee is not to consider a motion to revoke or change
a decision—
(a) where, at the time the motion is moved or notice is given, any action has been taken under
clause 16.3 to implement the decision; or
(b) where the decision is procedural in its form or effect.
(2) The Council or a committee may consider a motion to revoke or change a decision of the kind
described in subclause (1)(a) if the motion is accompanied by a written statement of the legal and
financial consequences of carrying the motion.
16.3 Implementing a decision
(1) In this clause—
(a) “authorisation” means a licence, permit, approval or other means of authorising a person to do
anything;
(b) “implement”, in relation to a decision, includes—
(i) communicate notice of the decision to a person affected by, or with an interest in, the
decision; and
(ii) take any other action to give effect to the decision; and
(c) “valid notice of revocation motion” means a notice of motion to revoke or change a decision that
complies with the requirements of the Act, Regulations and the Local Laws and may be
considered, but has not yet been considered, by the Council or a committee as the case may be.
(2) Subject to subclause (4), and unless a resolution is made under subclause (3), a decision made at a
meeting is not to be implemented by the CEO or any other person until the afternoon of the first
business day after the commencement of the meeting at which the decision was made.
(3) The Council or a committee may, by resolution carried at the same meeting at which a decision was
made, direct the CEO or another person to take immediate action to implement the decision.
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(4) A decision made at a meeting is not to be implemented by the CEO or any other person—
(a) if, before commencing any implementation action, the CEO or that person is given a valid notice
of revocation motion; and
(b) unless and until the valid notice of revocation motion has been determined by the Council or
the committee as the case may be.
(5) The CEO is to ensure that members of the public attending the meeting are informed by an
appropriate notice that a decision to grant an authorisation—
(a) is to take effect only in accordance with this clause; and
(b) cannot be acted upon by the person who has been granted the authorisation unless and until
the decision has been implemented in accordance with this clause.
PART 17—SUSPENSION OF LOCAL LAWS
17.1 Suspension of Local Laws
(1) A Member may at any time move that the operation of one or more of the provisions of these Local
Laws be suspended.
(2) A Member moving a motion under subclause (1) is to state the reasons for the motion but no other
discussion is to take place.
(3) A motion under subclause (1) which is—
(a) seconded; and
(b) carried by an absolute majority,
is to suspend the operation of the clause or clauses to which the motion relates for the duration of the
meeting, unless the meeting earlier resolves otherwise.
17.2 Where Local Laws do not apply
(1) In situations where—
(a) one or more provisions of these Local Laws have been suspended; or
(b) a matter is not regulated by the Act, the Regulations or these Meeting Procedures,
the Presiding Member is to decide questions relating to the conduct of the meeting.
(2) The decision of the Presiding Member under subclause (1) is final, except where a motion is moved
and carried under clause 11.10.
17.3 Cases not provided for in Local Laws
The Presiding Member is to decide questions of order, procedure, debate, or otherwise in cases where
these Local Laws, the Act or the Regulations are silent. The decision of the Presiding Member in these
cases is final, except where a motion is moved and carried under clause 11.10.
PART 18—MEETINGS OF ELECTORS
18.1 Electors’ general meetings
Electors’ general meetings are dealt with in the Act.
18.2 Matters for discussion at electors’ general meetings
The matters to be discussed at electors’ general meetings are dealt with in the Regulations.
18.3 Electors’ special meetings
Electors’ special meetings are dealt with in the Act.
18.4 Requests for electors’ special meetings
Requests for electors’ special meetings are dealt with in the Regulations.
18.5 Convening electors’ meetings
Convening electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act.
18.6 Who presides at electors’ meetings
Who presides at electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act.
18.7 Procedure for electors’ meetings
(1) The procedure for electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Act and the Regulations.
(2) In exercising his or her discretion to determine the procedure to be followed at an electors’ meeting,
the Presiding Member is to have regard to these Local Laws.
18.8 Participation of non-electors
A person who is not an elector of the Local Government shall not take part in any discussion at an
electors’ meeting unless the meeting, by resolution, permits the person do so.
18.9 Voting at electors’ meetings
Voting at electors’ meetings is dealt with in the Regulations.
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18.10 Minutes of electors’ meetings
Minutes of electors’ meetings are dealt with in the Act.
18.11 Decisions made at electors’ meetings
Decisions made at electors’ meetings are dealt with in the Act.
PART 19—ENFORCEMENT
19.1 Penalty for breach
A person who breaches a provision of these Local Laws commits an offence.
Penalty: $1,000.00 and a daily penalty of $100.00.
19.2 Who can prosecute
Who can prosecute is dealt with in the Act.
————
The Common Seal of the Shire of Leonora was affixed by authority of a resolution of the Council in the
presence of—
CR PETER CRAIG, President.
JIM EPIS, Chief Executive Officer.
Dated 26 April 2022.
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