Council Meeting Dates

The Elected Members Briefing Session (EMBS) gives the Councillors the opportunity to ask questions of the Committee relating to items on the agenda.

The Ordinary Council Meeting (OCM) is where the Councillors vote on the items on the agenda.

Yes, the Agenda allows for a separate 'Public Question' and 'Public Statement' time at the beginning and end of the EMBS and OCM meetings. Questions and statements relating to an item on the agenda generally happen at the first Public Questions or Public Statement time at the start of the meeting. Other questions and statements on matters of concern or interest are generally made at the Public Questions or Public Statement time at the end.

A separate opportunity exists for “Presentations” to be made relating to specific items on the agenda.

Decisions are made at the Ordinary Council Meeting and as such if the question or statement relates to a matter that is on the agenda, it is advisable to use the first Public Question and Public Statement time as the second opportunity is after the agenda items have been decided.

A member of the public must state his or her name and address, clearly, before asking any question or making a statement.

If this occurs, the question may be 'taken on notice' by the Council or Committee for later response.

A public statement will be limited to two minutes; and no reply, discussion or question relating to the Public Statement is to occur, unless otherwise determined by the Presiding Member at the meeting.

The Agendas for both meetings are available for viewing at the Town Administration Building and the Library from the Monday morning prior to the meeting. They can also be viewed online here at the Town website. Copies of the agenda are available in the gallery of the Council Chambers, on the night of the meetings.

The minutes from the Ordinary Council Meeting are available on the Town’s website from the Monday morning following the meeting.