Voting arrangements
16. It is expected that most decisions will be reached by consensus. This has been the experience of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority ( SPTA) - a large statutory body with significant operational responsibilities - and of the voluntary RTPs. There is no reason for the new bodies not to make decisions based on consensus. This should particularly be the case once approved regional transport strategies are in place to guide decision-making.
17. However, there are likely to be occasions when progress depends on putting decisions to a vote.
18. Councillor members will have one vote each 2with a weighting of between 1 and 4.
19. The RTP can decide to allow other members to vote on any matter 3 other than:
- the amount of funding to be granted by each constituent council to the RTPi.e. the requisition;
- the making of a request to the Scottish Ministers for the conferring of additional functions on the RTP.
20. Decisions will normally require a simple majority of those members present who are entitled to vote. RTPs will be able to amend their Standing Orders to require a two-thirds majority for certain specified decisions. This decision itself, for consistency, will also require a two-thirds majority.
21. Votes can only be taken in valid meetings, which require a minimum number of members to be present (this applies even if no votes are taken - no official business can be carried out). The quorum for RTP meetings, including any formal committees and sub-committees is 25% of the total membership (councillor and other members combined, irrespective of the voting rights of other members). The RTP, through adoption of its own Standing Orders, could agree to have a higher quorum but could not agree to have a lower quorum. It can never be reduced to less than 25%. Prior to the appointment of other members the quorum will be not less than 25% of the councillor members.