The WA government is canvassing reforms to local council meeting procedures, including introducing standardised statewide procedures for dealing with disruption and disorder.

Submissions on the reforms, which will replace council procedures, standing orders and local laws, can be made until May 29.

A consultation paper released by the government seeks feedback on whether mayors and presidents should be able to gag disorderly council members on a three-strikes basis, and kick out disorderly members of the public.

The paper says: “It is … proposed that the regulations empower the presiding member to call a person to order and should a member not comply with a third call to order the presiding member may direct them to speak no further … for the remainder of the meeting.

 “If any other person does not comply with one call to order, the presiding member may direct them to leave the meeting, with failure to do so being an offence.”

 It also proposes limiting the time that meetings can run, with proceedings to be adjourned at 11pm.

Ensuring a respectful forum

Local government minister Hannah Beazley says having a consistent approach to local government council and committee meetings will make it easier for the public to observe, understand and participate in council meetings.

It will also save councils money by removing the need for each local government to develop and review local laws and simplify and improve training for council members and local government staff.

“The public expect council meetings to be a forum for respectful discussion and constructive debate, focused on how local governments can best serve their communities,” Ms Beazley said.

“Unfortunately, we have seen occasions where meetings have become disorderly, and times when a vocal minority have unfairly dominated debates, while others are drowned out.

“Having statewide consistency in meeting rules will make it easier and fairer for anyone to engage in council meetings, ensuring everyone has a say in informing decisions.”

WALGA: challenges

The West Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) has released its own discussion paper on the state government discussion paper, with submissions open until April 29.

WALGA notes broad sector support for standardisation of meeting procedures but says there is also ‘diversity’ across existing local laws.

“We therefore recognise the challenge inherent in developing standardised meeting procedures and the potential they may differ significantly from, or even exclude, well-entrenched local law practices and procedures applied at Council and Committee meetings,” the paper says.

“It is WALGA’s recommendation that local government administrators and council members work collaboratively in determining a response to the consultation paper.”

The WA government is in the process of implementing a number of reforms to the Local Government Act aimed at improving transparency and accountability in local government,  and standardising council and committee procedures is part of these reforms.