Who can attend Electors meetings?

All members of the general public are able to attend an electors’ meetings.

Attendees must be verified as an elector by Shire Officers upon arrival in order to be able to:

• ask a question, and/or;
• move/second a motion, and/or;
• vote.

The Shire’s Meeting Procedures Local Law 2015 provides that it may be resolved, by a resolution at the electors’ meeting, that a person who is not an elector of the local government can participate in the discussion of the meeting. A person who is not an elector is not able to ask a question, move/second a motion or vote. Attendees who are unable to demonstrate their eligibility to vote to the satisfaction of the Shire officer will have the opportunity to sit in on the meeting as an observer.

Electors will be provided with a mechanism to register their vote.

What are the rules of conduct?

All attendees must be fair and respectful before, during and after the meeting. All council members and Shire officers are to abide by the relevant code of conduct.

The presiding member shall decide to accept or reject any written question or motion and where there is any concern about a question or motion being offensive, defamatory or the like, the presiding member will make a determination. Questions or motions determined as offensive, defamatory or the like will not be published.

Furthermore there will be no adverse reflection on council members or Shire officers, and should this occur the statement or question will be ruled out of order and the elector will be asked to resume their seat. The presiding member’s decision is final.

What is the process for asking questions?

Whilst the use of the Electors’ Meeting Questions and Motions Submission Form (available above) is encouraged for the purposes of minute taking, questions may be provided in any written format and additional forms may be completed if required. 

A 15 minute period will be set aside for questions. It is at the discretion of the presiding member to determine if this period will be extended by a maximum of two 15 minute periods.

The presiding member will invite attendees to ask their question in order of receipt. Priority will be given to questions that have been received in writing two working days prior to the meeting. Where questions are materially the same, the presiding member may determine that it not be responded to.

Electors will be offered an opportunity to ask two questions. Time permitting, electors will be offered an opportunity to ask further questions once all electors have been provided an opportunity to raise their question(s).

Questions asked at electors’ meetings must relate to a matter within the remit of the Shire of Mundaring. Questions and any response will be summarised and included in the minutes of the annual General Electors’ Meeting.

What is the process for submitting motions?

Whilst the use of the Electors' Meeting Questions and Motions Submission Form is encouraged for the purposes of minute taking, motions may be provided in any written format. Additional forms may be completed as required.

A 60 minute period will be set aside for motions. It is at the discretion of the presiding member to determine if this period will be extended by a maximum of two 15 minute periods.
The presiding member will invite electors to move their motion in order of receipt. Priority will be given to motions that have been received in writing two working days prior to the meeting. Time permitting, the presiding member may consider further motions from the floor.

Each elector present at the meeting is entitled to one vote on each matter to be decided, but can choose not to vote. All decisions are to be made by simple majority. Secret voting is not permitted.

Electors will be offered an opportunity to move two motions. Time permitting, electors will be offered another opportunity to move further motions after all other electors have been provided an opportunity to move a motion.

How are decisions recorded?

Motions are not binding on Council, however, in accordance with section 5.33 of the Act all passed motions (decisions) made at an electors’ meeting are to be considered at the next ordinary council meeting or, if that is not practicable; at the first ordinary council meeting after that meeting; or at a special meeting called for that purpose, whichever happens first.

View the Electors Meeting Decisions and Actions Register below, including their consideration and follow up by Council. 

Where do I find minutes of previous Electors' meetings?

 The minutes of previous annual and special electors' meetings are available on the Shire's website under Council Meetings, Agendas and Minutes.