m. Decision-making

Decisions made at meetings are formally known as resolutions.

Voting should take place only after councillors have had an opportunity to consider and debate the issue. Councillors should use the period of the meeting, before voting, to seek clarification of information or issues, to listen to the views of other councillors and to exchange views with them. If councillors find themselves unable to make informed decisions because they need more information or professional advice, they should defer making decisions until this is made available to them.

All matters must be decided by a majority of councillors present and voting at a meeting (para 39, Sched. 12, Local Government Act 1972). The person presiding at the meeting will get a casting vote in the event of a tie. Proxy voting is not permitted.  

If members abstain from voting, the resolution is decided by a majority of those using their vote. In theory, it is possible for a decision to made by a single voting member. 

Voting must be by a show of hands, unless the council's standing orders provides otherwise (para 13(1), Sched.12 Local Government Act, 1972).  In the interest of openness and transparency, secret ballots are generally undesirable and unnecessary. A councillor can require the voting to be recorded on an issue by requesting it at the time (para 13(2), Sched.12). If a secret ballot is held, a request to record the vote would take precedence.

Resolutions risk being quashed by the courts if there is successful legal claim that one or more councillors had a closed mind or acted with apparent bias when they voted at a meeting. It is acceptable for councillors to be predisposed to voting on a matter in particular way if, until the matter is put to the vote, they are open to a fair consideration of the information and arguments that are presented at the meeting (see 'Code of Conduct and Standards').

See also article on Councillors e. council tax arrears - restrictions on voting