Request to speak form

You can speak up to a maximum of 2 agenda items per meeting, including as a head speaker.

Submitting a request form does not guarantee you will speak at a council meeting.

We assess each request received before the deadline, against our meeting procedures code(PDF, 717KB) and our criteria. 

Criteria

Each request is date and time stamped on receipt and assessed in the order received.

Meeting limits for each agenda item

• 3 speakers FOR an item recommendation
• 3 speakers AGAINST an item recommendation

Meeting limits per person

• 2 items per council meeting
• 2 minutes to address Council per item

Organisations addressing Council

Organisations need to appoint a spokesperson. Call us to discuss having more than one spokesperson (only possible if permitted by Council).

Request outcome

We will contact you by 3pm on the day of the meeting if you are not listed to speak as you've requested.

We are committed to creating an inclusive community and will work with you to ensure equitable access is available to support your attendance at our meeting to make this submission.

If you identify a need for assistance or adjustments in your request, the Governance and Integrity Team will contact you to work through how we can make equitable changes to support your meeting attendance.

Proxy

If you are unable to attend the meeting as planned and you require a person to speak on your behalf, you must notify the Governance and Integrity Team before 12pm on the day of the meeting.

Email governance@banyule.vic.gov.au with the name of your proxy speaker and your consent for them to speak on your behalf.

Requests for a proxy after 12pm on the day of the meeting cannot be accommodated.

If you're listed to speak, your recorded telephone message will be played publicly as part of the Council meeting.

Messages

• Start by introducing yourself, full name and suburb.
• Adhere to our Meeting Procedure Code as it still applies.
• Make sure your telephone message does not contain derogatory, defamatory or personally embarrassing statement of any councillor, member of staff, ratepayer or member of the public. 
• Be mindful of personal or sensitive information when addressing Council as it will become public.

Tips

1. For your reference write down the statements you want to present at the Council meeting separately for each meeting agenda item of interest.
2. Practice reading your statements out loud. Start by introducing yourself with your full name and suburb. Make sure you can clearly and comfortably read them within the 2-minute time limit.

Find a spot that:

• is quiet
• is comfortable for you to sit or stand
• avoids blocking the microphone.

If you're listed to speak, your recorded video will be played publicly as part of the Council meeting.

Messages

• Start by introducing yourself, full name and suburb.
• Adhere to our Meeting Procedure Code as it still applies.
• Make sure your video message does not contain derogatory, defamatory or personally embarrassing statement of any councillor, member of staff, ratepayer or member of the public. 
• Be mindful of personal or sensitive information when addressing Council as it will become public.

Specifications

• Any video format can be used
• Recording quality set to a high-definition minimum standard of 720p (a minimum resolution of 1280x720)
• 1 video file per agenda item
• 1024MB maximum file size
• 2 minute maximum duration
• Landscape format only, turn your mobile phone on its side while recording

Tips

Being on camera isn’t a natural thing for most people, though you get used to it the more you practice. Where possible, try again until you are happy with the results.

Details of the meeting will be captured and publicly available.

For any council meeting you speak at, be mindful of personal or sensitive information when addressing Council as

• Meetings are open to the public and the media may be present
• Your name will be listed in the published minutes of the meeting
• Your address to Council will feature in the published recording of the meeting (available for 12 months)

For all procedural details of council meetings take a look at our Meeting Procedures Code.(PDF, 717KB)

Personal information you provide by completing this form is managed in line with our privacy policy.