What happens in a Council meeting if a public member is absent?

The correct choice reflects the understanding that the absence of a public member does not hinder the overall function of a Council meeting. Meetings are typically designed to allow the remaining members to continue their discussions and make decisions regardless of a single member's presence. This ensures that the council can operate effectively and efficiently, allowing business to proceed without delays caused by individual absences.

The other options suggest more rigid scenarios which aren't generally aligned with the operational procedures of councils. For example, insisting that a meeting cannot proceed if a public member is absent would inhibit decision-making and could lead to unnecessary delays. Rescheduling a meeting due to one member's absence is often impractical and could disrupt the council's agenda. Lastly, suggesting that decisions are made solely by the remaining members does not accurately reflect the collaborative nature of council meetings, where the involvement and contributions of all members are valued, even if one is not present. Thus, the correct answer highlights the resilience and continuity of council processes in the face of such absences.