- Except where the law or the Standing Orders say something different, all questions coming or arising before the Council will be decided by a majority of the Councillors present and voting on that question. (CS)
- Where an ordinary meeting is held on a wholly virtual basis by electronic means or in circumstances whereby some Councillors attend in person and others take part on a virtual basis a vote will be taken by calling the roll.
In meetings where all members are present in the same physical location a vote will be taken by a show of hands except in the following circumstances. (CS)
Calling the roll
- A Member may ask for a vote to be taken by calling the roll. If a quarter of the Councillors present agree then the vote will be taken in that way and the names of those voting for or against the motion or amendment will be taken down and recorded in the minutes. (CS)
What happens if votes are equal
- In the case of an equality of votes, the Provost will have a second or casting vote except where the matter which is the subject of the vote relates to the appointment of a Councillor to any particular office or Committee in which case the decision will be decided by lot [which means a process whereby chance will determine the decision]. (CS)
Different arrangements apply to appointments
- When Councillors are to be appointed to any positions to be filled by the Council, and where the number of candidates nominated exceeds the number of vacancies, the Councillors to be appointed will be determined by a vote or votes in each of which Members will be entitled to vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies; but they may not cast more than one vote for any candidate. The name of the candidate having fewest votes will be deleted from the list and a fresh vote, or votes, will be taken. This process of elimination will be continued until the number of candidates equals the number of vacancies. (CS)
- Where only one vacancy requires to be filled, and any candidate has an absolute majority of the votes, the candidate will be declared appointed. Otherwise, the name of the candidate having fewest votes will be deleted from the list. This process of elimination will be continued until one candidate has a majority of the votes. (CS)
- If in any vote among more than two candidates there is equality of votes among the candidates having the least votes, the candidates whose names will be eliminated will be determined by an additional vote. The candidate having fewest votes will be deleted from the list. Where in any additional vote there is equality in votes, the candidate to be eliminated will be determined by lot. (CS)
- The provisions of the preceding paragraphs will apply in the case of the appointment of any other person (other than a Councillor) except that where there is an equality of votes the Provost will have a second or casting vote. (CS)
Whipping
- Paragraphs 11.10 and 11.11 will apply on any occasion when an item of business is the subject of consideration at any meeting and that business:- (CS)
- has been the subject of prior discussion at a meeting of a political group; and
- at the meeting of the political group there has been an agreement that the group whip is applied to that business.
- At the commencement of the consideration of the item of business the Leader, or another member of the group present, will disclose to the meeting that the group whip has been applied to members of the group who are present, and will specify the particular matter or matters in respect of that business to which the whip applies. (CS)
- The Leader, or the other member, will give notice in writing to the Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support Services, at the time the disclosure is made in terms of paragraph 11.10, setting out the information disclosed, and the Director will: (CS)
- record in the minutes of the meeting the information disclosed; and
- Keep a register of notices given to him, which register will be open to inspection by any person.
