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Public Question Time, Public Statement Time and Petitions

Residents may address an Agenda Forum or Council Meeting to raise questions on any particular agenda item during Public Question Time. A member of the public who raises a question during question time, is to state his or her name and address and ask a question(s) in a clear and precise manner. Questions are not to be offensive or defamatory in nature. A member of the public shall have three (3) minutes to submit question(s). The minimum time set aside for the asking of public questions is 15 minutes in total. 

Residents may also address an Agenda Forum or Council Meeting to make a statement on any particular agenda item during Public Statement Time. A member of the public who raises a question during statement time, is to state his or her name and address and make statement(s) in a clear and precise manner.  Statements are not to be offensive or reflect adversely upon the character and/or any actions of any member of Council, an employee of the local government or any other party. A member of the public shall have three (3) minutes to submit their statement. The minimum time set aside for making public statements is 15 minutes in total. 

In the interests of efficient meeting procedure, please complete all sections of the appropriate form(s) below. Please print details clearly, sign and date the form and hand it to the Governance Coordinator prior to the commencement of each meeting.

Public Question Time Form

Public Statement Time Form

Petitions

What is a Petition?

Any elector or group of electors may petition the Council to take action on an item of interest.  For example, petitions may ask the Council to change existing Policy, Local Law, decisions of Council or take action for a certain purpose or for the benefit of particular persons.

The petition must relate to a matter the Local Government can act on.

Petition Requirements                                    

The Town of Cottesloe Local Government (Meeting Procedure) Local Law 2021 sets out a number of requirements governing the format and presentation of petitions. These are designed to ensure the authenticity of petitions and protect the intentions of petitioners and the Council.

A petition is to:

  • be addressed to the Mayor;
  • be made by electors of the district;
  • state the request on each page of the petition;
  • contain the name, address and signature of each elector making the request, and the date each elector signed;
  • contain a summary of the reasons for the request;
  • be respectful and temperate in its language.
  • state the name of the person to whom, and an address at which, notice to the petitioners can be given; and

Getting the Petition Presented                           

A petition can be presented to Council at an Ordinary Council Meeting or Standing Committee. An Elected Member or the Chief Executive Officer can present a petition. The initiator is to ensure the petition is forwarded to a Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer prior to the start of the meeting at which they would like the petition presented. 

Presentation of a petition does not mean the Town agrees with its content.

Details of dates, times and location of Ordinary Council Meetings can be obtained here.

What Happens at the Council Meeting?                             

At Item 9.1 of the Order of Business on the Agenda, the Councillor or the Chief Executive Officer presenting the petition will read out the name and address of the initiator of the petition, a summary of the reasons for the petition along with the number of signatures collected.

At the time of presentation, no discussion or voting on the subject matter of a petition takes place.

The meeting is not to vote on any matter that is the subject of a petition presented to that meeting, unless:

(a)     The matter is the subject of a report included in the agenda

(b)     The Council or Committee has considered the issues raised in the petition.

What Happens Next?    

Upon receiving a petition, the Local Government is to submit the petition to the relevant Officer to be included in his or her deliberations and report on the matter that is the subject of the petition.

A staff member will advise what action will be taken when dealing with the petition. A report may be prepared and presented to Council on the issue.

Even though petitions may seem to produce no immediate or obvious result, they serve as a way to make Council aware of community concerns.

The Town has a petition template you can use as a guide - Petition Template

Submit your petition:

  • Electronically by email town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au 
  • In person at the Civic Centre
  • By post to PO Box 606, Cottesloe WA 6911
  • Provide to an Elected Member.