Council adopts the new Leeton Shire Council Code of Meeting Practice

23 May 2019 2:37 PM -

Leeton Shire Council adopted the new Leeton Shire Council Code of Meeting Practice at its 22 May Ordinary Council Meeting.

Council’s Governance and Corporate Planning Coordinator Alison Balind stated in her report to Council that the Draft Code of Meeting Practice was placed on public exhibition from Friday 29 March 2019 until Friday 26 April 2019.

Two written submissions were received during the consultation period.

In response to Councillors’ concerns that removing “Councillors Statements” from all future meetings will restrict sharing their activities as elected representatives, Mayor Paul Maytom advised that he intends to exercise his prerogative as Mayor to put up a Mayoral Minute at each meeting capturing Councillor updates so that these can be discussed from the floor at Council meetings.

“I support the new Code to the extent that it drives meeting efficiency but I’m not going to allow it to prevent Councillors from regularly communicating their activities as representatives of our community.”

Mr Jason Richardson presented in person at the May Ordinary Council meeting and advocated strongly that no limits be placed on speakers to Council meetings. He considered the speaking time limits to be “undemocratic”.

Council resolved to stay with the 3-minute limit on the basis Council has the right to extend speaking time when required.

Mayor Paul Maytom thanked Mr Richardson for his submission and active interest in the business of Council.

All future meetings of Leeton Shire Council will be conducted in accordance with the new Code.