In accordance with Clause 5.24(1) of the Local Government Act 1995, the City invites questions from members of the public at Council meetings. Please follow the guidelines for submitting a public question to the City.
Public Question Time at Council Meetings provides members of the public an opportunity to submit questions and receive responses during the meeting.
- Ordinary Council Meeting
- Special Council Meeting as related to the purpose of the meeting
- Audit and Strategic Finance Committee meeting
A minimum period of fifteen minutes is allocated for Public Question Time at each meeting.
Each person seeking to ask questions during public question time may address the meeting for a maximum of three minutes per person. Should any questions remain after the three minutes the Presiding Member will inform the person that any outstanding response(s) will be forwarded to them in writing.
All members of the public wishing to submit a question or questions at a meeting shall be given an equal and fair opportunity to do so, subject to time constraints or limitations imposed by the Presiding Member.
Should the Presiding Member believe a question has been answered at a previous meeting a written response will be provided to the relevant question.
In the event the City receives multiple questions on the same subject matter which are similar in content and where the responses are similar in nature, the Presiding Member may choose to read out the questions and then have one response provided by the Officer to the questions.
Questions received, within the timeframe stated below, by members of the public, will be made available in hard copy at the relevant meeting for the person to ask.
Written questions unable to be responded to at a Council meeting will be taken on notice and a response prepared and forwarded to the person either via email or in the post.
Questions will be given the following priority:
- Questions provided in writing by the deadline (5pm the previous day of the Council meeting) that relate to the Council meeting Agenda;
- Questions provided in writing by the deadline that do not relate to the Council meeting Agenda;
- Questions raised that relate to the Council meeting Agenda but that are not submitted in writing by the deadline; and
- Questions raised that do not relate to the Council meeting Agenda.
The best way to submit questions that do not relate to the Council meeting Agenda is via the contact us form on the City's website.
Questions submitted to a Council Meeting are required to be received prior to 5pm on the day before the meeting. Submit questions via the online 'Public Question Time' form (below) or in writing to the Chief Executive Officer.
Questions are to be specific and not include statements or other information.
The Presiding Member will invite members of the public to ask their questions(s) in order of registration, time of receipt, or grouped together into Agenda item topics, thus ensuring a fair process.
If a member of the public does not wish to use the Public Question Time online form below, a hard copy of the form can be obtained from the Reception desk at the City of Cockburn Administration Building in Spearwood, or at one of the City's libraries in Spearwood, Coolbellup or Success.
Members of the public must keep their questions brief in accordance with the limitations of the number of characters outlined in the online form, to enable everyone who desires to ask a question to have the opportunity to do so.
Public questions that are received after 5pm on the day before the meeting, or that lapses due to the person submitting the question not being in attendance at the meeting, will be responded to after the meeting via email or in the post.
Reasons a public question will not be accepted:
- it contains offensive remarks
- it relates to personal affairs or actions of Elected Members or staff
- it relates to confidential matters
- it relates to legal action
- it is a statement
Please submit your questions prior to 5pm on the day before the meeting, either:
- Via the online form below;
- In writing addressed to the Chief Executive Officer; or
- In person at the City's Administration building.
Please contact the City for more information on 08 9411 3444 or at minuteclerk@cockburn.wa.gov.au.