Code of Meeting Practice - Draft

What's a Code of Meeting Practice?

The Code of Meeting Practice sets out the rules for how Council and certain committee meetings are run. It ensures meetings are fair, organised, and follow the law. Councils must include mandatory rules from the NSW Model Code of Meeting Practice, and any conflicts between the Code and the law are resolved in favour of the law. These rules help meetings run smoothly and transparently.

Why is the Code of Meeting Practice on exhibition?

Under section 360 of the Local Government Act 1993, Councils must adopt a Code of Meeting Practice within the first 12 months of each Council term. Before the Code is finalised, Councils must share a draft with the community for feedback by putting it on public exhibition. This ensures everyone has a chance to have their say on how Council meetings are conducted.

What has changed in the new draft Code of Meeting Practice?

The new draft Code of Meeting Practice includes updates to:

• Improve the document’s layout and wording for better clarity.
• Limit Notice of Motions to three Motions per Councillor per meeting.
• Amend the allowable Questions with Notice to three questions per Councillor per meeting.
• Amend the order of business for Ordinary Council meetings so that the Reports through the General Manager from the General Manager and Directors (renamed to Reports to Council) follow the Receipt of Petitions as item 10 on the meeting agenda, with the remaining items remaining as is currently adopted.
• Amend or remove redundant optional clauses due to process improvements and duplication of clauses in the Code of Meeting Practice or other Policy documents.
• Provide guidelines on the use of remote access for workshops.

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