Public Participation at Council Meetings

The Shire's Meeting Procedures Local Law 2017 outlines and guides public participation at Council Meetings.

View our Local Laws

 

Public Question Time

If you wish to ask a question, you can do so during Public Question Time at the start of the meeting. Each member of the public with a question is entitled to ask up to two questions at a time. If a question is unable to be answered at the meeting, it may be taken on notice by the Council for a later response. 

To ensure we have a true record of all questions asked, please complete the online or printable form, using the links below. Sending your question prior to the meeting will ensure an accurate and concise response. You can also bring your question with you to the meeting, although your question may be taken on notice and answered at the next meeting. Please ensure that all details have been provided when filling out the form so that answers to questions can be sent to the correct person.

 

Deputations

A deputation is a collective way to lobby Council regarding a concern shared by a number of people who live or work in the same area.

  1. Any person or group wishing to be received as a deputation by the Council is to either:

    1. apply, before the meeting, to the CEO for approval; or

    2. with the approval of the Presiding Member, at the meeting, address the Council.

  2. The CEO may either:

    1. approve the request and invite the deputation to attend a meeting of the Council; or

    2. 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:

    1. is not to exceed 5 persons, only 2 of whom may address the Council, although others may respond to specific questions from Members;

    2. is not to address the Council for a period exceeding 10 minutes without the agreement of the Council; and

    3. 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.

Deputations - Submission Form

 

Petitions

A petition is a request for action. Any elector or group of electors may petition the council to take action. However, the subject of a petition must be a matter on which the Council has the power to act. An elector is a person who owns or occupies rateable property within the Shire of Donnybrook Balingup, and is eligible to vote in local and state elections.

  1. A petition is to:

    1. be addressed to the President;

    2. be made by electors of the district;

    3. state the request on each page of the petition;

    4. contain the name, address and signature of each elector making the request, and the date each elector signed;

    5. contain a summary of the reasons for the request; and

    6. 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:

    1. the matter is the subject of a report included in the agenda; and

    2. the Council has considered the issues raised in the petition.

     

    Enquiries & Submissions

    All questions, deputations or petitions (or an enquiries related to any of these topics) are to be submitted to the Shire - please ensure you have provided all necessary attachments and information with your submission.

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