How are council meetings conducted?
When a regular session or extraordinary session is convened, the meeting begins with an opening ceremony. During the plenary session, the council confirms the agenda items to be handled during the session, determines the session period, and proceeds according to the approved schedule.
Plenary Session:
Ordinances and other agenda items that have passed committee review.
It deliberates and makes final decisions on matters such as the financial obligations of local residents, the enactment of ordinances, and overall administrative policies for the district. Unlike advisory bodies that merely provide opinions, the council has the authority to make final decisions on matters concerning the local government.
- STEP 01. Declaration of Opening
The chairperson declares, “Opening of the ▢th Extraordinary Session, ▢th Meeting,” followed by three strikes of the gavel.
- STEP 02. Report (by the director of the Secretariat)
Reports on the circumstances of the assembly, the status of agenda items under review, and other necessary matters.
- STEP 03. Presentation of Agenda Items
- Agenda items scheduled for the day are presented one by one in order. However, similar types of agenda items or related matters may be presented together for joint deliberation,
- such as ordinances, budget bills, or motions requesting the attendance of related officials.
- STEP 04. Review Report (Proposal Explanation) or Examination Report
- For agenda items reviewed by a committee, the committee chairperson or secretary delivers the review report.
- For agenda items reviewed by a committee, the committee chairperson or secretary delivers the review report.
- After the proposer’s explanation, the Legislative Research Officer (Expert Advisor) presents a review report.
- The review report includes an explanation by the proposer, purpose of the proposal, main points, review process, minority opinions, and final results.
- STEP 05. Remarks (Questions) / Answers
- Members who wish to speak must notify the chairperson in advance in writing.
※ For agenda items not reviewed by a Special Committee, members generally do not submit prior notice but speak at the chairperson’s request according to meeting procedures. - In principle, each member’s number of remarks is limited to two per agenda item, though additional remarks may be permitted with the chairperson’s approval.
- Answers are provided by the proposer or the member who presented the review report.
- After all questions and answers are completed, the chairperson declares the close of the Q&A session.
- Members who wish to speak must notify the chairperson in advance in writing.
- STEP 06. Debate
- Members who wish to participate in a debate must submit a written request to the chairperson in advance that clearly indicates whether they are for or against the proposal.
- Debates proceed alternately in the order of opposition → support → opposition → support.
- After all debates are concluded, the chairperson declares the close of debate. (Amendments may be proposed up until the debate is officially closed.)
- STEP 07. Resolution (Voting)
- If there are no questions or debates, voting is conducted by asking whether there are any objections (“any objections?”).
- If objections are raised, voting is carried out by standing vote or raising of hands, and the results are counted and announced.
- Roll-call or secret ballot voting may also be used when necessary.
- STEP 08. Adjournment Declaration
After all agenda items scheduled for the day have been completed, the chairperson declares adjournment.
Committee Types:
Budget and Settlement Committee, Ordinance Review Special Committee, etc.
Committees deliberate and make final decisions on matters such as the financial obligations of residents, the enactment of ordinances, and the general administration of the district. Unlike advisory bodies that merely provide opinions, committees have the authority to make final determinations on the intentions and policies of the local government.
- STEP 01. Declaration of Opening
The chairperson declares, “Opening of the ▢th Regular (Extraordinary) Session, ▢ Special Committee, ▢th Meeting.”
- STEP 02. Presentation of Agenda Items
Introduction of the ordinance (or budget) bill to the committee.
- STEP 03. Explanation of Proposal
The proposing council member or the relevant public official provides an explanation of the proposal.
- STEP 04. Review Report
The Legislative Research Officer (Expert Advisor) presents a review report to the committee after examining whether the proposal complies with applicable laws, identifying potential issues, and offering additional points of reference. This report serves as background material for the members’ deliberations.
- STEP 05. Questions and Answers
- Questions and Answers
- Typically, members verbally inform the chairperson in advance when they wish to speak.
- After all questions and answers are completed, the chairperson declares the close of questioning, after which no further questions may be asked.
- STEP 06. Debate (For and Against)
- Debate (For and Against)
- Debates proceed alternately in the order of opposition → support → opposition, and so on.
- After all debates are completed, the chairperson declares the close of debate.
- (After the declaration, no further debate is allowed.)
- STEP 07. Resolution (Voting)
- Voting is generally conducted by asking whether there are any objections, or by standing vote or raising of hands.
- The chairperson also has the right to vote, but if the vote is tied, the proposal is rejected.
- STEP 08. Report on Review Results
The committee submits a written report of its review results to the chairperson of the council, and the committee chairperson presents an oral report during the plenary session.
