Draft Code of Practice – Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents
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Thank you for your feedback. This consultation has concluded. The final Code of Practice will be presented at Council Meeting with feedback on 20 November 2023.
Alexandrina Council has updated the Code of Practice - Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents to conform with recent changes to the Local Government Act 1999.
It is a legislative requirement to seek community feedback on updated Local Government Act Policies.
Amendment
Why
Update of the Statement of Principle
Changing the terminology to be more consistent with legislation and to be inline with Council’s Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures document.
Refining of the Introduction
Changes to the wording to be more consistent with the Local Government Act 1999
Section 3 - Public Access to the Agenda
Section was updated to be in line with changes to legislation and to be consistent with Council’s Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures
Section 4 – Public Access to Meetings
4.1 - Addition of dot point 3 to include the holding of Council meetings in locations other than Goolwa as determined from time to time by Council resolution
Section 5 – Information and Briefing session
Included to reflect addition of section 90A of the Local Government Act 1999
Process to Exclude the public from a Meeting and use of the confidentiality provision
Information added to make it easier to understand this process and why some items are considered in confidence.
Process information was moved to more relevant areas of the document.
Changes to the clauses for confidentiality has been updated as per the Local Government Act 1999
Grievances
Updated Grievance process as per Council’s Policies and Procedures
By Mail - please direct written submission to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au or by post to Att: CEO, Alexandrina Council, PO Box 21, Goolwa SA 5214, or
In Person - where you can complete ahard copy surveyat the Strathalbyn or Goolwa offices.
Submissions regarding the proposal will be accepted by Council until Friday 13 October 2023.
Alexandrina Council has updated the Code of Practice - Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents to conform with recent changes to the Local Government Act 1999.
It is a legislative requirement to seek community feedback on updated Local Government Act Policies.
Amendment
Why
Update of the Statement of Principle
Changing the terminology to be more consistent with legislation and to be inline with Council’s Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures document.
Refining of the Introduction
Changes to the wording to be more consistent with the Local Government Act 1999
Section 3 - Public Access to the Agenda
Section was updated to be in line with changes to legislation and to be consistent with Council’s Code of Practice – Meeting Procedures
Section 4 – Public Access to Meetings
4.1 - Addition of dot point 3 to include the holding of Council meetings in locations other than Goolwa as determined from time to time by Council resolution
Section 5 – Information and Briefing session
Included to reflect addition of section 90A of the Local Government Act 1999
Process to Exclude the public from a Meeting and use of the confidentiality provision
Information added to make it easier to understand this process and why some items are considered in confidence.
Process information was moved to more relevant areas of the document.
Changes to the clauses for confidentiality has been updated as per the Local Government Act 1999
Grievances
Updated Grievance process as per Council’s Policies and Procedures
Thank you for your feedback. This consultation has concluded. The final Code of Practice will be presented at Council Meeting with feedback on 20 November 2023.
Share Survey – Code of Practice Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents on FacebookShare Survey – Code of Practice Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents on TwitterShare Survey – Code of Practice Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents on LinkedinEmail Survey – Code of Practice Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents link
Latest Update - November 2023
After considering the 10 submissions received during public consultation, Council has adopted its Code of Practice - Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents. A total of eight submissions stated they would like to see Council Meetings held in other locations besides Goolwa. A provision has been added to the Code of Practice which states "holding of Council meetings in locations other than Goolwa as determined from time to time by Council resolution".
Draft Code of Practice – Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents has finished this stage
Consultation close - 5pm, 13 October 2023
Draft Code of Practice – Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents has finished this stage
Presented at Council Meeting with feedback - 20 November 2023
Draft Code of Practice – Access to Council and Committee Meetings and Documents is currently at this stage
About this Code of Practice
Section 92 of the Local Government Act 1999 requires Council to have a policy that details the principles, policies, procedures and practices for the operation of Chapter 6 - Parts 3 (Public access to council and committee meetings) and Part 4 (Minutes of council and committee meetings and release of documents) of the Local Government Act.
This Code provides guidance around the applicability of the confidentiality provisions under sections 90 and 91 of the Local Government Act 1999 for Council and Committee meetings and section 90A for Council Information or Briefing Sessions.
The Local Government Reforms has necessitated the need for the Code to be reviewed within the first 12 months of a Council Election and is recommended to be reviewed at least biannually for good governance.
