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Speaking at Council |
Below are some general rules of procedure for speaking at a meeting of Town Council:
- The Province of Prince Edward Island Municipalities Act provides that all Council meetings are open to the public. The public can be asked to leave when Council, by approved motion, goes into Committee of the Whole Council. Discussion may take place in Committee of the Whole but decisions and resolutions are only permitted in open Council.
- Discussion that takes place at open meetings of Town Council is part of the public record.
- Members of the public who are present at meetings of Town Council are not permitted to speak to Council unless recognized by the Chair and given permission to do so.
- A request to the Mayor prior to the meeting, or a note given to the Mayor during the meeting requesting permission to speak to Council, is in order.
- All comments should be addressed to the Council through the Mayor. For example, an individual addressing Council would say, “Mayor, through you to the Council, I would like to bring to Councillors’ attention the situation concerning the property at the corner of ....”
- Debate is not to be entered into with individual members of Council or with others in the room. If a Council member asks a question, the member of the public who is speaking to Council should respond to the question by first asking the Mayor for permission to reply.
- Comments or concerns as well as questions to a staff member or Town Councillor should be asked through the Mayor - i.e. With your permission, Mayor, I would like to bring to Council’s attention ---- OR “Through you, Mayor, I ask permission to direct a question to (name of person).
- There should be no discussion by others (visitors or by members of Council) when an individual has been recognized by the Mayor to speak and is addressing Council.
- Persons addressing Council should stand at the end of the Council Table facing the Mayor. He or she should speak clearly and at a level which can be heard throughout the room. A general rule is to be as brief as possible and to the point.
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