City of Coffs Harbour Code of Meeting Practice

The City of Coffs Harbour has prepared a draft Code of Meeting Practice consistent with the Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW.

In accordance with s361 of the Local Government Act 1993, councils are required to exhibit a draft code of meeting practice for at least 28 days and provide members of the community at least 42 days in which to comment on the draft code.

At the 14 November 2024 ordinary meeting, Council resolved (Resolution number 2024/211) to put the draft Code of Meeting practice on public exhibition.

Council is now inviting the community to provide comments on the draft Code of Meeting practice. To provide comments, click the "enter your submission" button and complete the form.

The proposed changes are detailed below:

1. Replace Clause 3.1 with Clause 3.2 from the Model Code of Meeting Practice:
   • Clause 3.1 ‘Ordinary meetings of council will be held on the second and fourth Thursday of the months February through to December. Meetings will commence immediately following the Public Forum (if held) which commences at 5.00pm.’
   • Clause 3.2 ‘The council shall, by resolution, set the frequency, time, date and place of its ordinary meetings.’
2. Add Clause 4.25 to clarify that the public cannot speak in regard to question on notice.
3. Include additional wording to the clause 5.16 to enable a Council Meeting to be held by audio visual link to cover other situations to ensure the health, safety and welfare of Councillors and City staff.
4. Add Clause 5.31(a) to the entitlement of the public to attend Council Meetings:
   1. In order to ensure the security and safety of Councillors, staff and the public, seating in the public gallery for public forums and Council meetings will be limited to a number determined by the general manager prior to each meeting.
5. Add Clause 9.20 to clarify that discussion or debate on a Question on Notice is not permitted.
6. Add Clause 10.32 requiring the Councillors to submit any audio and visual presentation to the General Manager prior to meetings to ensure that they do not contain any material that defamatory, breach copyright or otherwise inconsistent with Council’s remit.
   • Clause 10.32 The following applies to audio and visual presentations by Councillors at Council meetings:
     1. All Councillors must submit any audio and visual presentation to the General Manager at least 2 hours beforehand
     2. The General Manager may refuse any material submitted that does not comply with legislative and policy guidelines
     3. Material submitted to the General Manager is not to be distributed to other Councillors without permission from the submitter.
7. Amend Clause 15.24 to clarify that this clause also applies to the media and includes public forums. 8. Add Clause 15.27 and 15.28 in regard to Public Gallery Etiquette:
   • Clause 15.27 All signs, banners placards or similar be prohibited from the public gallery and the Council Chambers.
   • Clause 15.28 While Council acknowledges the democratic right to protest, a designated area outside the Council Chambers be established to allow citizens to neatly leave all signs and similar before entering the Council Chambers.

Submissions can be made by:

• The online submission form
• email: coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au
• post: Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

Submissions close at 5 pm Friday 17 January 2025.