Rules Of Debate At Meetings

Question 1

1a.motions on the agenda shall be considered…

Answer 1

In the order that they appear unless the order is changed at the discretion of the Chairman of the meeting.

Question 2

1.b.A Motion (including an amendment shall not…

Answer 2

Be progressed unless it has been moved and seconded.

Question 3

1c. A motion on the agenda that is not moved by its proposer may..

Answer 3

Be treated by the Chairman of the meeting as withdrawn

Question 4

1d.If a motion (including an amendment) has been seconded , it may be…

Answer 4

Withdrawn by the proposer only with the consent of the seconder and the meeting.

Question 5

1e. An amendment is a proposal to remove..

Answer 5

Or add words to a motion. It shall not negate the motion.

Question 6

1f. If an amendment to the original motion is carried…

Answer 6

The original motion (as amended) becomes the substantive motion upon which further amendments may be moved.

Question 7

1g. An amendment shall not be considered unless..

Answer 7

Early verbal notice of it is given at the meeting and if requested by the Chairman of the meeting, is expressed in writing to the Chairman.

Question 8

1h. A Councillor may move an amendment to his/her own motion if…

Answer 8

Agreed by the meeting.if a motion has already been seconded, the amendment shall be with the consent of the seconder and the meeting.

Question 9

1i. If there is more than one amendment to an original or substantive motion…

Answer 9

The amendments shall be moved in the order directed by the Chairman of the meeting.

Question 10

1j.Subject to standing order (1k) only…

Answer 10

One amendment shall be moved and debated at a time the order of which shall be directed by the Chairman of the meeting.

Question 11

1k. One or more amendments may be discussed together if the Chairman of the meeting …

Answer 11

Considers this expedient but each amendment shall be voted upon separately.

Question 12

1l.a Councillor may not move more than…

Answer 12

One amendment to an original or substantive motion

Question 13

1m. The mover of an amendment has no right of

Answer 13

Reply at the end of debate on it

Question 14

1n. Where a series of amendments to an original motion are carried, the mover of the original motion shall have the right of…

Answer 14

Reply either at the end of debate on the first amendment or at the very end of debate on the final substantive motion immediately before it is put to the vote.

Question 15

1o. Unless permitted by the Chairman of the meeting a councilor may speak once in the debate on a motion except…

Answer 15

1. to speak on an amendment moved by another Councillor
2. to move or speak on another amendment if the motion has been amended since he last spoke.
3. ro make a point of order
4. to give a personal explanation or
5. to exercise a right of reply

Question 16

1p.during the debate on a motion, a Councillor may interupt only …

Answer 16

On a point of order or a personal explanation and the councillor who was interrupted shall stop speaking.a Councillor raising a point of order shall identify the standing order which he considers has been breached or specify the other irregularity in the proceedings of the meeting he is concerned by.

Question 17

1q.a point of order shall be decided by the chairman of the meeting and his decision shall be

Answer 17

Final

Question 18

1r. When a motion is under debate , no other motion shall be moved except..

Answer 18

1. .to amend the motion
2. to proceed to the next business
3. to adjourn the debate
4. to put the motion to a vote
5. To ask a person to be no longer heard or to leave the meeting
6. to refer a motion to a committee or sub Committee for consideration
7. to exclude the public and press
8. to adjourn the meeting or
9. to suspend particular standing orders excepting those which reflect mandatory statutory or legal requirements.

Question 19

1s.Before an original or substantive motion is put to the vote, the chairman of the vote shall be

Answer 19

Satisfied that the motion has been sufficiently debated and that the mover of the motion under debate has exercised or waived the right of reply.

Question 20

1t. Excluding motions moved under standing order 1r the contributions or speeches by a Councillor shall relate only to

Answer 20

The motion under discussion and shall not exceed five minutes without the consent of the Chairman of the meeting.