Question and Submission Time is an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of the Council at our fortnightly ordinary Council Meetings.
Members of the public can participate in ordinary Council meetings in two ways;
- Ask questions for Council to answer during Question Time, or
- Make a Comment or Submission prior to a specific item listed on the Agenda.
QUESTIONS
Shortly after the commencement of each ordinary Council meeting, up to 30 minutes will be allocated to enable the Chairperson to read out, and respond to, questions from the public, submitted either online or in person.
In accordance with the Darebin Governance Local Law, individuals are unable to ask more than two questions at the same meeting.
The Mayor, in the first instance, will read questions and provide responses to those submitted online, before taking questions from members in the gallery. Any question responded to verbally at the meeting, will not be responded to in writing. If a question cannot be answered at the meeting, or a question is taken on notice, a written response will be prepared and forwarded to the person raising the question.
Questions that:
- Relate to items that are listed on the Agenda; or
- Relate to personnel matters, contractual matters or legal advice; or
- Are aimed at embarrassing a councillor or a member of council staff or is political in nature,
will not be responded to.
COMMENTS OR SUBMISSIONS
Members of the public may request the opportunity to make a comment or submission on a specific matter listed on the Agenda for a Council Meeting, with up to 2 minutes being provided per person prior to an item being debated. An extension of time may only be granted by the Chair.
People wishing to make a comment or submission to an agenda item are encouraged to register online or in person prior to the commencement of the meeting.
A person who is not able to stay at the meeting until the agenda item is heard, may read their comment or submission during Question Time.
HOW TO LODGE YOUR QUESTION OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT OR SUBMISSION
Council encourages the early lodgement of Questions to enable preparation of a considered response, and early registration if you wish to make a comment or submission. This may be done in the following ways:
Electronic Lodgement
In Person Lodgement
- At the Preston Customer Service Centre by 3pm on the day of the Council meeting;
- By printing completed Questions and Submissions Form and delivering it to 274 Gower Street Preston, 3072 by 3pm on the day of the meeting; or
- With a Council Officer between 5.45pm and 6pm on the day of the meeting at Council Chambers.
The lodgement of a question or registration to make a comment or submission should include the name, address and contact telephone number of the individual and, in the case of a submission, the agenda item to which he or she wishes to speak to. This will allow Council officers to follow up your question, if required, and to inform the Chairperson of any registered person wishing to make a comment or submission in relation to specific agenda items.
Residents do not need to attend the meeting for a question to be answered. Council meetings can be viewed at the Watch Council and Planning Committee meetings page.
The Agenda for each meeting is available for viewing on Council’s website at the Meeting Agendas and Minutes page by 5pm, up to 6 days prior to the date of the meeting. Copies are also available at Customer Service centres and libraries.