Having attended the recent (Tue 6th March) workshop held at COG, my eyes have again be opened to the ways of our Local Government.
It seems that according to the Dept of Local Govt, each Council must review its wards once every so many years, to ensure that correct voter representation can be seen to be observed.
The workshop on Tuesday night was an opportunity for the public to be informed of the various options and to allow discussions on this subject.
The point that I find most interesting was that the option of leaving the current ward system was not presented as an option and that the review was not actually due this year.
At the moment there is an imbalance in the Canning Vale ward, that it is under represented according to the ratio of councilors for that ward compared to the number of voters.
But one fact that I was unaware of is that the ward system that exists only really facilitates the election of councilors for each ward, once elected the councilors actually represent each and every household within the COG, therefore it must be said that how can we be under represented when each councilor represents us.
Personally I believe in self representation, phone the council yourself, attend meetings yourself, raise issue yourself, get out there and be part of the system, the issues may not seem to not affect you but eventually they will impact upon yourself and your family.
Thursday, 14 June 2007
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
the following reply was given ...
Thankyou for your enquiry.
Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a copy of which can be viewed on the City's website via the drop down tag of "Our City" where you will see the heading "Local Laws". By clicking on that heading all local laws are listed.
In relation to the Public Statement it is advised that the lady concerned attempted to access the building via the main entry to the Reception area rather than the Gallery door just as the Mayor was about to enter the Chamber. The Mayor directed her to the appropriate door at which time it was noticed the lady had in her possession a Public Statement form. As it was evident the lady had not previously attended a Council meeting and as such was not fully conversant with the procedures the Mayor afforded her the opportunity to submit her Statement after the commencement of the meeting.
In relation to the comment on an item by the Presiding Member the Standing Orders, clause 3.3.1, make provision for the Presiding Member to take part in discussion on any item before the Council.
I trust this information adequately clarifies your query.
Regards
Trevor Perkins
Director Governance
City of Gosnells
Tel: 9391 3270
Fax: 9398 2922
Council meetings are conducted under the provisions of the City of Gosnells Standing Orders Local Law 2003, a copy of which can be viewed on the City's website via the drop down tag of "Our City" where you will see the heading "Local Laws". By clicking on that heading all local laws are listed.
In relation to the Public Statement it is advised that the lady concerned attempted to access the building via the main entry to the Reception area rather than the Gallery door just as the Mayor was about to enter the Chamber. The Mayor directed her to the appropriate door at which time it was noticed the lady had in her possession a Public Statement form. As it was evident the lady had not previously attended a Council meeting and as such was not fully conversant with the procedures the Mayor afforded her the opportunity to submit her Statement after the commencement of the meeting.
In relation to the comment on an item by the Presiding Member the Standing Orders, clause 3.3.1, make provision for the Presiding Member to take part in discussion on any item before the Council.
I trust this information adequately clarifies your query.
Regards
Trevor Perkins
Director Governance
City of Gosnells
Tel: 9391 3270
Fax: 9398 2922
Meeting Tuesday 12th June 2007
The following email was sent to the Director Governance
Good Evening,
Having attended the Council Meeting tonight (Tuesday, 12th June 2007), I must ask, are the meetings run under some set rules or standing orders. and are these available for public examination, I am interested in this because I noticed that two events occurred during the evening did not seem right and I wish to clarify this by understanding the procedures.
The first was that a statement was allowed to be presented tonight after the meeting had officially started, this did not seem correct, when the following is stated on the Public Statement form: "With the consent of the Presiding Member, members of the public may make a statement on any matter contained within the Council Meeting Agenda at Item 6.2 "Public Statements", provided that the person has completed this form in full and submitted it in person to the Chief Executive Officer prior to commencement of the meeting at 7.30pm or via fax to the City of Gosnells 9398 2922 prior to 4.00pm on the day of that meeting." or is it that the Presiding Member can vary this at his/her discretion.
The second was that the Presiding Member seemed to make a personal comment after a councilor spoke against an agenda item, this comment was that "I concur ..." my understanding is that a Presiding Member should remain impartial, but then again this may be something that the Presiding Member can vary at his/her discretion.
I understand that these queries may seem out of place, that is why I ask can you inform me of what standing orders the meetings are run under, and are these available for public reading, so that I may better understand how the meetings are run, I have looked over the web site and have found nothing that seems to fit this description.
Good Evening,
Having attended the Council Meeting tonight (Tuesday, 12th June 2007), I must ask, are the meetings run under some set rules or standing orders. and are these available for public examination, I am interested in this because I noticed that two events occurred during the evening did not seem right and I wish to clarify this by understanding the procedures.
The first was that a statement was allowed to be presented tonight after the meeting had officially started, this did not seem correct, when the following is stated on the Public Statement form: "With the consent of the Presiding Member, members of the public may make a statement on any matter contained within the Council Meeting Agenda at Item 6.2 "Public Statements", provided that the person has completed this form in full and submitted it in person to the Chief Executive Officer prior to commencement of the meeting at 7.30pm or via fax to the City of Gosnells 9398 2922 prior to 4.00pm on the day of that meeting." or is it that the Presiding Member can vary this at his/her discretion.
The second was that the Presiding Member seemed to make a personal comment after a councilor spoke against an agenda item, this comment was that "I concur ..." my understanding is that a Presiding Member should remain impartial, but then again this may be something that the Presiding Member can vary at his/her discretion.
I understand that these queries may seem out of place, that is why I ask can you inform me of what standing orders the meetings are run under, and are these available for public reading, so that I may better understand how the meetings are run, I have looked over the web site and have found nothing that seems to fit this description.
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