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
18.1 Member speaking
When a Member wishes to speak, they will indicate that to the Chair whilst remaining seated. No Member will speak unless called on to do so by the Chair. When called to speak the Member will normally stand, unless that is not appropriate for the individual, and address the meeting through the Chair. If two or more Members indicate that they wish to speak, the Chair will ask one to speak and the other(s) will remain silent. While a Member is speaking other Members shall remain silent unless raising a point of order or in personal explanation.
18.2 Respect for the Chair
Whenever the Chair indicates that they wish to speak during a debate the rest of the Council shall be silent.
18.3 Member discipline
If a Member persistently disregards the ruling of the Chair or behaves improperly or offensively or deliberately obstructs business, the Chair may move that the Member shall not be heard further. If seconded, the motion will be voted on without discussion.
18.4 Member to leave the meeting
If the Member continues to behave improperly after a motion under 18.3 is carried, the Chair may move that either the Member leaves the meeting or that the meeting is adjourned for a specified period. If seconded, the motion will be voted on without discussion.
18.5 General disturbance
If there is a general disturbance which the Chair decides makes orderly business impossible, the Chair may adjourn the meeting for as long as they think necessary.