Part 4 - Rules of procedure
Below are the rules of procedure.
- 1 - Annual meeting of the County Council
- 2 - Ordinary meetings
- 3 - Extraordinary meetings
- 4 - Location and times of Full Council meetings
- 5 - Notice and summons to meetings
- 6 - Chair of meeting
- 7 - Quorum
- 8 - Questions from the public
- 9 - Questions by Members
- 10 - Notices of motion
- 11 - Motions without notice
- 12 - Rules of debate
- 13 - Previous decisions and motions
- 14 - Voting
- 15 - Minutes
- 16 - Record of attendance
- 17 - Exclusion of the public
- 18 - Members conduct
- 19 - Members interests in contracts and other matters
- 20 - Disturbance by the public
- 21 - Photography and audio recordings of meetings
- 22 - Electronic communication
- 23 - Suspension and amendment of procedural standing orders
- 24 - Authority of the Chair
- 25 - Group Leaders and Lead Members
- 26 - Application of procedural standing orders to other council bodies
- 27 - Election of Chair and Vice-Chair of committees
- 28 - Appointment of substitute members of committee
14.1 Majority
Unless the Constitution provides otherwise, any matter will be decided by a simple majority of those Members present in the room and voting.
14.2 Chair’s casting vote
If there are equal numbers of votes for and against, the Chair will have a second or casting vote.
Note – To avoid deadlock on the election of a Chair or on a procedural motion relating to the election of a Chair, the matter will be determined by the toss of a coin
14.3 Method of voting
Unless a ballot or recorded vote is demanded under these rules the Chair will take the vote by show of hands, or, if there is no disagreement, by the consent of the meeting.
14.4 Ballots
The vote will take place by ballot if 10 Members present at the meeting demand it. The Chair will announce the result of the ballot immediately after the votes have been counted.
14.5 Recorded vote
If 10 Members present at the meeting demand it, the names of those who vote for or against a motion or amendment or abstain from voting will be recorded in the minutes. A demand for a recorded vote will override a demand for a ballot.
14.6 Right to require individual vote to be recorded
If, immediately after the vote is taken, a Member requests it, their vote will be recorded in the minutes to show whether they voted for or against the motion or abstained from voting and this will be done even though the vote may have been taken by ballot.
14.7 Budget decision meeting
Immediately after any vote is taken at a budget decision meeting there shall be recorded in the minutes of the proceedings of that meeting the names of the persons who cast a vote for the decision, or against the decision or who abstained from voting.
14.8 Voting on appointments
If there are more than two people nominated for any position to be filled and there is not a clear majority of votes in favour of one person then the name of the person with the least number of votes will be taken off the list and a new vote taken. The process will continue until there is a majority of votes for one person.
14.9 Multiple appointments to organisations
If the Council has to fill two or more positions on any internal or external organisations, the names of persons to be appointed must be moved and seconded.
If there are more nominations than positions, each Member will be entitled to one vote for each of the nominees up to the same number as there are positions. The nominees that have the highest number of votes shall be appointed. If an equality of votes prevents a decision being made, the Chair may use their casting vote to decide which of the nominees, who have the same number of votes, shall be elected.