Code of Meeting Practice

Extraordinary meetings

The Mayor may now call an Extraordinary Meeting without the need to obtain the signature of two Councillors.

Dealing with urgent business at meetings

Urgent business can be considered without notice. The resolution must include reasons explaining why the matter is urgent and needs a decision before the next Ordinary Council meeting.

Attendance at meeting by audio-visual link

The provisions governing attendance by Councillors at meetings by audio-visual link have been made mandatory and the option to attend meetings by audio-visual link has been restricted to where Councillors are prevented from attending a meeting in person because of ill-health or other medical reasons or because of unforeseen caring responsibilities.

Absences from Council meetings

The key change is that Councillors must now formally request leave and council's must resolve whether to grant it. If the leave is refused, Council must record the reason.

Modes of address

Where physically able to, Councillors and staff are encouraged to stand when the Mayor enters the Chamber and when addressing the meeting.

Making information considered at closed meetings public

CEO must publish business papers for items of business considered during meetings that have been closed to public on the Council’s website as soon as practicable after the information contained in the business papers ceases to be confidential.

Expulsion from meetings

On the adoption of the Code and at the commencement of each Council term, the Council must determine whether to authorise the person presiding at a meeting to exercise a power of expulsion.

It is recommended that Clause 15.16 of the Model Code apply in Council’s updated Model Code of Meeting Practice to remain consistent with the current Code of Meeting Practice. This will authorise the chairperson to excel persons other than Councillors from meetings of the Council or Committees of the Council.