Council Minutes 19 January 2009 - Waratah-Wynyard Council

Council Reports
2. Summary
This report has been prepared to enable the timing of Ordinary Meetings to be
altered to allow for a pre-meeting meal, and to decide on two alternative
Ordinary Meeting locations in 2009.
For Council to be open and accountable to its community, consistency in the
meeting schedule is suggested as this allows residents to know with some
certainty when Council meetings are normally held.
3. Background
For the past year it has been normal practice for Council to conduct Ordinary
Council meetings on the third Monday of each month commencing at 5:30 pm.
Prior to this meetings were held on the third Monday of each month
commencing at 7:30pm.
4. Statutory Requirements
The Local Government (Meeting Procedure) Regulations 2005 states:
6. Times of meetings
(1) A meeting is not to start before 5 p.m. unless otherwise determined by
the council by absolute majority or by the council committee by simple
majority.
(2) After each ordinary election, a council and a council committee are to
review the times of commencement of meetings.
5. Finances
The conduct of any Council meeting has costs associated with it, additionally
there will be a cost associated with catering. It is envisioned that meals will be
served at the Council Chambers, Wynyard at approximately 5:15pm. The
meals will cater for Councillors and Staff formally attending the meeting.
Sandwiches would no longer be provided after the meeting.
6. Discussion
The Council may determine the most appropriate timing for ordinary
meetings. The only provision included within the Regulations is that an
ordinary meeting is to be conducted at least once per month. All meetings are
to commence after 5:00 pm unless determined otherwise by the Council by
absolute majority.
Waratah-Wynyard Council – Ordinary Meeting Agenda – 19 January 2009 Page 18