Public questions and responses are included in the meeting minutes which are confirmed by Council at the next meeting.
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.
Public questions
In accordance with Clause 5.24(1) of the Local Government Act 1995, the City invites questions from members of the public at Council and Committee 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 Risk and Compliance Committee meeting
- Governance Committee meeting
A minimum period of fifteen minutes is allocated for Public Question Time at each meeting.
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 by members of the public, within the timeframe stated below, 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 that relate to an agenda item - received in writing by the deadline (5pm on day prior to meeting)
- Questions that relate to an agenda item - raised at the meeting
- Questions on a non-agenda item - received in writing by the deadline (5pm on day prior to meeting)
- Questions on a non-agenda item - raised at the meeting
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.
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 at PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake, WA, 6955
- In person at the City's Administration building
Please contact the City for more information on 08 9411 3444 or at [email protected].