Request to address Council

Trial changes:

At its Ordinary Meeting on 24 February 2025, Council resolved to trial changes to Open and Public Forums, in an effort to improve governance, transparency and participation. 

Open and Public Forums will now occur one week prior to Council Meetings, allowing more time for consideration of public feedback, ahead of decision-making. 

During the trial period, Open and Public Forums will not occur at the Council Meeting. 

Open and Public Forums will take place from 6pm to 7:30pm, with speaker registrations closing at noon on the day of forums. 

This new format for Open and Public Forums will also improve accessibility, with speakers able to attend either in person or online. 

These changes aim to align our processes with current best practices for public participation in Local Government.

Public and Open Forum

Request to address Council

Methods of addressing Council

Public Forum (Matters on the agenda):

  • Addresses must relate to an item on the agenda.
  • Addresses must be limited to three (3) minutes.
  • Speakers are not able to ask questions to Councillors. However, Councillors may, at the appropriate time, ask a speaker questions. Speakers are not under any obligation to respond to any questions asked.
  • A speaker may not apply to speak on more than three items of business on the agenda of the Council Meeting.

Open Forum (Matters not on the agenda):

  • Addresses must not relate to an item on the Council Meeting Agenda.
  • A person wishing to address Council must identify the topic they wish to speak on.
  • Addresses must be limited to three (3) minutes.
  • Open Forum provides an opportunity to address only, it is not for debate or questions.

     

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