The
community is being reminded of some important changes to the structure of
future Council meetings, after alterations to the Code of Meeting Practice were
adopted at the March 24 Ordinary Council Meeting.
The
most significant change will see public forums removed from the order of
business, and instead be held prior to the meeting at 3pm. This includes
invited presentations and Have Your Say.
Armidale
Regional Council Mayor Ian Tiley said the new format will provide a heightened
experience for community members wanting to have input on Council related
issues.
“By
moving the public forum to before the Council meeting, it will allow for a
format that is more comfortable and engaging and will allow for greater access
to technology for presenters,” said Cr Tiley.
“It
is important the community is given a chance to have their say and get involved
in matters affecting Council and the region, so this change will make this
process more effective.”
As
stated in the updated Code of Meeting Practice, invited presentations from
community groups and organisations and State and Commonwealth bureaucracies will
be limited to two per meeting and each presentation will have a maximum of 15
minutes. Invited presentations will begin at 3pm.
Following
these will be Have Your Say at 3:30pm, with each address to be no longer than
five minutes. Requests to Have Your Say must be submitted by 12pm the day
before the meeting, must identify the item of business on the agenda, and
whether the address is ‘for’ or ‘against’ the item. For information on how to
participate in Have Your Say or be an invited presenter, visit the Opportunity to Address Councillors page.
Other
changes to the Code of Meeting Practice include alterations surrounding
workshops and councillor briefings. The full document can be viewed here (~~~DocAnnotation.type.2137~~~ ~~~DocAnnotation.size.2137~~~).
These
changes will be in place at the upcoming April 28 Ordinary Council meeting in
Guyra.
Published on 21 Apr 2021