Elected Member Workshops

During the course of a Council or committee meeting, information is shared, reports and recommendations are debated and discussed, and decisions, where appropriate, are taken. However, time constraints and meeting regulations which provide the rules of debate can restrict the ability of Members to speak on motions or ask questions on a continued basis to fully explore and understand the various views of other Members. At times the exploration of issues can be restrained and Members may not feel that an issue has been sufficiently canvassed for optimal decision making.

Informal Gatherings

Accordingly, the provisions under Section 90(8) of the Local Government Act 1999 enable Council to hold informal gatherings, such as workshops, to discuss issues as long as they do not make a decision or effectively pre-empt a decision on a matter that would ordinarily be dealt with at a Council or committee meeting.

Council’s Informal Gatherings Policy advises the community on the purpose and intent of its workshops and as a result will improve community understanding of and trust in Council’s decision-making process.

The community is welcome to attend Council workshops, and listen to most matters except for those which are confidential.

Council’s Elected Member Workshops are usually scheduled for the first Wednesday each month.

Workshop dates and agenda items are listed below. Please note that there will be occasions where an urgent workshop must be scheduled and Council will provide notice of this on our website.