The next Annual Electors Meeting (AEM) will be held at the Shire Town Hall at 7:30pm on February 6, 2024. Attendees are requested to pre-register and arrive at 7:00pm. The meeting’s Agenda will be available at least 72 hours prior to the meeting via our Agenda and Minutes page.
Attendance at the AEM
To ensure that the meeting proceeds as efficiently as possible, the Shire is requesting participants pre-register via our registration form.
What is an Annual Electors Meeting?
In accordance with Section 5.27 of the Local Government Act 1995, an Annual General Meeting of Electors is to be held once every financial year. The Act and associated legislation prescribe the matters that are to be discussed.
What is the purpose of an AEM?
A local government is required to prepare an Annual Report each year. The Annual Report provides an overview of the operations, activities and major projects undertaken by the Shire for the period. It also includes major initiatives that are proposed to commence or to continue in the next financial year. Annual Reports can be found here.
Once an Annual Report has been accepted by Council, an AEM is held within 56 days. As prescribed by Regulation 15 of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996, the purpose of an AEM is to discuss the Annual Report for the previous financial year and then any other general business. The AEM presents an opportunity for electors to ask questions of Council and propose motions (recommendations). Electors present will then be asked to vote on proposed motions, which will allow Councillors to gauge what type of community support there is for different proposals. Motions that are carried are considered by Councillors at the next appropriate Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Who can participate at an AEM?
Only electors are entitled to participate at the meeting. In accordance with Section 1.4 of the Local Government Act 1995 an elector is defined as, “elector, in relation to a district or ward, means a person who is eligible to be enrolled to vote at elections for the district or ward,” and as depicted in section 5.26 of the Act this also includes ratepayers. You can still attend and observe the meeting if you are not an elector, but participation can only be permitted if a resolution is passed by the electors present that permits you to do so.
Residents can check to see if they are on the electoral roll through the Western Australian Electoral Commission website. If you have previously registered to be on the Shire’s Owners and Occupiers electoral roll, you can check these details by contacting the Shire office. Please note that if you are already on the State or Federal electoral roll and live within the Shire district you are automatically included on the Shire’s electoral roll.
Annual Elector Meeting Proceedings
As stipulated in Regulation 17 of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996, voting provisions at an AEM are as follows:
- Each elector at the meeting is entitled to one vote on each matter to be decided, but does not have to vote;
- All decisions are to be made by a Simple Majority vote; and
- Voting is to be conducted by a show of hands, ensuring that no voter’s vote is secret.
All other meeting proceedings are determined by the Shire President, who will be the presiding person at the meeting.
To attend the meeting or raise a question at the meeting, please fill out this form and return to the Shire of Quairading via email shire@quairading.wa.gov.au or in-person at our Shire Administration – 10 Jennaberring Rd, Quairading.
