2019-08-06 S&O Agenda - Item 6 - Attachment 2 - Draft New Standing Orders for Noosa Council

Maintenance of Good Order
39. Conduct During Meetings
39.1 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.
39.2 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.
39.3 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.
39.4 No Councillor who is speaking shall be interrupted except upon a point of order being raised
     either by the Chairperson or by a Councillor.
39.5 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.
39.6 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.


40. Process for Dealing with Unsuitable Meeting Conduct by a Councillor
    in a Meeting
When dealing with an instance of unsuitable conduct by a Councillor in a meeting, the following
procedures must be followed:
40.1 The Chairperson must decide whether or not unsuitable meeting conduct has been displayed
     by a Councillor.
40.2 If the Chairperson decides the unsuitable meeting conduct has occurred, the Chairperson must
     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, refer to 40.7 for the steps to be taken.
40.3 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.
40.4 If the Councillor complies with the Chairperson’s request for remedial action, no further action
     is required.
40.5 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.
40.6 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 19