There is a ruling that I want to read to you: Hon members, I would like to make a ruling on a point of order raised by hon Watson, with regard to a notice of motion moved by hon C J De Beer on Thursday, 5 November 2009.
The hon member asked whether it was correct in terms of the Council Rules for a member to move a motion on a matter that had been discussed in the House. He requested that I make a ruling on this matter, which I said I would do.
Hon members, I would like to bring to the attention of the House that there is a difference between a notice of motion and a motion without notice. The notice of motion is intended to inform the House that at the next sitting of the House, a member intends to move a motion. It does not require any decision by the House while the motion without notice requires the House to take a decision on a particular matter.
In terms of Rule 75(2)(a) of the Council Rules, a draft resolution for approval by the Council may not in substance be the same as a draft resolution which has been approved or rejected by the Council during the preceding six months. Therefore, until such time as the notice is acted upon by the hon member by moving it, as he indicated in his notice, it cannot be said that it is in contravention of the Rules of the Council.
I therefore rule that the notice of motion by hon C J De Beer should stand.