Draft Code of Meeting Practice
  Public Exhibition until Wednesday 2 December 2009

At its Meeting held on 20 October 2009 Council considered changes to the Code of Meeting Practice. Council is seeking comments about the proposed changes.

What is the Code of Meeting Practice?

The Code of Meeting Practice governs the way in which Council and Committee Meetings are run. 

View the Draft Code of Meeting Practice

• Draft Code of Meeting Practice (PDF 181KB)

Note: the document has been bookmarked at each proposed change.

Hard copies of the Draft Code of Meeting Practice can also be viewed at the Civic Centre or at any City of Ryde library.

• Online feedback form

Below is a list of the proposed changes to the code. 

Reference	Current Provision	Proposed Change	Pages
2.2.5	2.2 Extraordinary or Special Meeting	2.2.5 The Mayor does not have the authority, in their own right, to call an Extraordinary or Special Council Meeting	7
2.4.2	2.4 Quorum	2.4.2 A councillor who is not capable of voting on the business before the council, by reason of having disclosed a pecuniary interest in a matter, is regarded as being absent from a meeting for the purpose of determining whether or not a quorum is present.	8
3.6.2	3.6 Agenda	3.6.2 Once the agenda for a meeting has been sent to councillors an item of business on the agenda cannot be removed from the agenda prior to the meeting.	13
3.12.5	3.12 Amendments	3.12.5 At the end of the debate, the chairperson will put the amendment to the vote first. If supported by a majority of Councillors the amendment would become the motion.	16
3.19.2	3.19 Motions put without debate	3.19.2 Council Officers’ reports may be dealt with by the exception method. The items will be called over in agenda sequence, and those not withdrawn for discussion may be moved for adoption in accordance with the recommendation on the Business Paper. Annexure A - include an item of business: Items Passed by Exception	19 and 53 (Annexure A)
3.20.1 (3)	3.20 Casting vote	3.20.1 (3) Should the chairperson fail to exercise a casting vote, the motion being voted upon would be lost.	19
3.25.1	3.25 End of meetings	3.25.1 Council meetings shall conclude by 11.00 pm or such later time as council may by resolution decide on each occasion. If Council is not going to complete its business by 11.00pm, Council should, by resolution, determine that Council will complete the business on the agenda or set a time for the meeting to conclude. If not all items have been considered then those remaining will be referred to the next Council or Committee of the Whole Meeting.	22
6.2.2 and 6.2.3	6.2 Non-pecuniary interests	6.2.2 A councillor should give consideration to Council’s Code of Conduct with regard to managing non-pecuniary interests with regard to disclosure of interests and participation in meetings. 6.2.3 If a councillor has a non-pecuniary interest that conflicts with their public duty they must disclose that interest fully in writing as soon as practicable, even if it is not significant.	35
8.7	8.7 Caretaker protocols	8.7 Caretaker Periods 8.7.1 During caretaker periods, defined as the period following the closing of the electoral rolls ie 40 days prior to an election, Council should exercise due caution in making major policy decisions that would bind an incoming council. In summary, council should avoid: determining controversial or significant development applications; new or potentially controversial permanent appointments of general managers; and entering major contracts or undertakings.	51
Annexure C (1)	Public participation	Ensure consistency between Council and Committee regarding the Chair's discretion	59 and 60
Annexure C (2)	Public participation	Requirement that a form be completed prior to speaking at Council or Committee	59 and 60
Annexure C (3)	Public participation	Provide guidance to speakers regarding conduct at meetings	59 and 60

Have Your Say

Submissions close on Wednesday, 2 December 2009. 

You can make your submission in the following ways:

• in writing to the City of Ryde, Locked Bag 2069, North Ryde  NSW  1670
• by email to cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au
• by fax to (02) 9952 8070
• complete the online feedback form below

If you need any further information, contact Shane Sullivan on 9952 8034.

Postal Address
	The City of Ryde
	Locked Bag 2069
	North Ryde NSW 1670
Ph:	(02) 9952 8222
Email:	cityofryde@ryde.nsw.gov.au
Civic Centre
	1 Devlin St Ryde
	Open: 8.30am - 4.30pm
	Monday - Friday
City of Ryde Libraries
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