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National Forests Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998)

Procedures and Code of Conduct

Procedures and Code of Conduct in terms of Section 37 of the National Forests Act

5. Procedures at Meetings

 

5.1 Council business must be conducted in a language with which members are conversant.

 

5.2 Members must have a reasonable opportunity at meetings to gain clarity on each item. If a matter cannot be clarified satisfactorily it should be carried over to the next meeting.

 

5.3 Items may be clarified by a presentation on the relevant item by an expert on the topic on invitation from the chairperson.

 

5.4 Once an item is clear, each member should express his or her preferred position on an item and motivate it if he or she so wishes.

 

5.5 Having heard all views, the Chairperson should offer a summary of the views to the meeting, and invite a proposal for the position that the Council should adopt on the matter. Alternatively, he or she may propose such a position for consideration by the members.

 

5.6 If the Council is unanimous in its view on an item, the Chairperson should formulate the view verbally, have members ratify or amend the formulation and then have the view recorded for the minute.

 

5.7 If the Council is not unanimous on an item, he or she should formulate the different positions adopted by members and note the level of support for each position for the record of the meeting. The chairperson must convey all of this information to the Minister when advising him or her on such an item.

 

5.8 If the Council is unable to give advise to the Minister on any item then this should be recorded for the notice of the Minister, together with the reasons why it is unable to do so.

 

5.9 The Council must consult with the Minister before making any public statement.