Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the rules and guidelines by which the public asks questions or provides information at Council meeting under section 61 62 63 and 64 of the Local Government Act 2020 in a way that:

• provides a more resourceful and accountable platform for the public to submit questions or provide information to be considered at Council meetings; and
• allow Council sufficient time to consider the issues arising from the questions or information provided.

Definitions

This section defines the key terms used in this policy.

Act - The Local Government Act (Vic) 2020

Meeting - Means an ordinary meeting of the Council under section 61 of the Act a joint meeting of Councils under section 62 of the Act a delegated committee under section 63 of the Act or a joint delegated committee under section 64 of the Act.

Member - A Councillor or other member of a delegated committee under section 63 of the Act.

Policy

1. Public Question and Submission Time

Public Question and Submission Time will be provided at the start of a Meeting to enable members of the public to ask questions or make submissions to Council.

There will be no Public Question and Submission Time at a Meetings

* to consider the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor; or

* not fixed by Council in accordance with section 3.5 of the Governance Rules unless otherwise determined by the Chairperson.

2. Time Allocation and Number of Questions

Forty five (45) minutes will be allocated for Public Question and Submission Time at a Meeting. The duration of Public Question and Submission Time may be extended by:

• the Chairperson given due consideration to the business to be considered at the Meeting; or
• by resolution of the Meeting.

No more than two (2) questions may be asked or submissions made by any person at any one (1) Meeting. Questions or submissions made over and above these requirements at the discretion of the Chairperson:

• may be deferred until all other persons wishing to ask a question or make a submission have had an opportunity to be heard; or
• may not be asked or submitted if the time allotted for public question and submission time has expired.

A maximum time limit of 3 minutes applies to each question asked or submission made by a person.

3. How to ask a question or make a submission

Questions to be asked or submissions to be made at a Meeting must be in writing and state the name and address of the person submitting the question and generally be in a form approved by the Chief Executive Officer; and lodged: