Standing orders.pdf - Hutt City Council

HCC Standing Orders 3 August 2004 Issue No. 2 43
Chairperson has casting
vote
32.2
In addition to the deliberative vote provided for, the Chairperson at any
meeting has a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes. A casting
vote may be exercised either for or against the motion at the Chairperson’s
discretion.
(See standing order 40.8)
Open voting 32.3
An act or question coming before the local authority must be done or
decided by open voting.
[clause 24, schedule 7, LGA 2002]
Straw votes 32.4
On occasion it may be helpful for straw votes to be taken during debate
on issues involving several options, in order to facilitate input from
members who may otherwise be unable to participate in terms of
standing order 27.6 in case they may want to move an amendment. This
process would involve requesting the members to indicate their preferred
position by inviting a show of hands on each of the alternatives put to the
meeting consecutively, with each member indicating a preference for one of
the alternatives. If this produces an indication of strong preference for one
alternative, then a formal motion can be framed accordingly.
Members may abstain 32.5
Any member may abstain from voting, and have their abstention recorded
in the minutes if so requested by the member.
Method of voting 32.6
The method of voting shall be as follows:
(a)
(b)
The Chairperson in putting the motion shall call for an expression
of opinion on the voices or take a show of hands, the result of either of
which, as announced by the Chairperson, shall be conclusive
unless such announcement is questioned immediately by any
member, in which event the Chairperson shall call a division.
The Chairperson or any member may call for a division instead of
or after receiving opinion on the voices and taking a show of hands.
Division 32.7
When a division is called, the Chief Executive shall take down the names
of the members voting for and against the motion and abstentions and is
to hand the list to the Chairperson who shall declare the result.
Second division 32.8
The Chairperson may call a second division where there is confusion or
error in the original division, unless the same can be otherwise corrected.
Pecuniary interest 32.9
No members shall vote or take part in the discussion on any matter at any
meeting where they, directly or indirectly, have any pecuniary interest as
defined in law, other than an interest in common with the public.
[s. 6(1), Local Authorities (Members’ Interests) Act]