2020-11-10 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   10 NOVEMBER 2020




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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                           10 NOVEMBER 2020

           Maintenance of Good Order
           44.   Conduct During Meetings
           44.1 Councillors will conduct themselves in accordance with the principles of the Local Government
                 Act 2009 and the standards of behaviour set out in the Code of Conduct. The Chairperson may
                 observe or be made aware of instances of possible unsuitable meeting conduct.
           44.2 After a meeting of Council has been formally constituted and the business commenced, a
                 Councillor shall not enter or leave from such meeting without first notifying the Chairperson.
           44.3 During Ordinary, Special and General Committee meetings, Councillors shall refer to each
                 other by their respective titles, “Mayor” or “Councillor’, and shall confine their remarks to the
                 matter then under consideration.
           44.4 No Councillor who is speaking shall be interrupted except upon a point of order being raised
                 either by the Chairperson or by a Councillor.
           44.5 When the Chairperson speaks during the process of a debate, the Councillor then speaking or
                 offering to speak shall immediately cease speaking, and each Councillor present shall
                 preserve strict silence so that the Chairperson may be heard without interruption.
           44.6 Unless exempted by the Chairperson, Councillors shall stand and address the Chairperson at
                 Ordinary and Special meetings while moving any motion or amendment, seconding any motion
                 or amendment, taking part in any discussion, replying to any question or addressing the
                 Council for any other purpose. Only one person may stand at any one time.

           45.   Process for Dealing with Unsuitable Meeting Conduct by a Councillor
                 in a Meeting
           The conduct of a Councillor is unsuitable meeting conduct if the conduct happens during a Council
           meeting and contravenes a behavioural standard of the Code of Conduct for Councillors. When
           dealing with an instance of unsuitable conduct by a Councillor in a meeting, the following procedures
           must be followed:
           45.1 The Chairperson must reasonably believe that unsuitable meeting conduct has been displayed
                 by a Councillor.
           45.2 Ifthe Chairperson decides that unsuitable meeting conduct has occurred, the Chairperson may
                 consider the severity of the conduct and whether the Councillor has had any previous warnings
                 for unsuitable meeting conduct issued. If the Chairperson decides the conduct is of a serious
                 nature or another warning is unwarranted, refer to 45.7 for the steps to be taken.
           45.3 If the Chairperson decides unsuitable meeting conduct has occurred but is of a less serious
                 nature, the Chairperson may request the Councillor take remedial actions such as:
                 a)   ceasing the unsuitable meeting conduct and refraining from exhibiting the conduct;
                 b)   apologising for their conduct;
                 c)   withdrawing their comments.
           45.4 If the Councillor complies with the Chairperson’s request for remedial action, no further action
                 is required.
           45.5 If the Councillor fails to comply with the Chairperson’s request for remedial action, the
                 Chairperson may warn the Councillor that failing to comply with the request may result in an
                 order being issued.
           45.6 If the Councillor complies with the Chairperson’s warning and request for remedial action, no
                 further action is required.

           Standing Orders for Council Meetings                                                   Page 20

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