Substantial’ opposition to reduced meeting frequency

CITY of Coffs Harbour councillor Tony Judge has highlighted “substantial community opposition” to a proposal to adjust the frequency of Council meetings from fortnightly to monthly.

Currently, Ordinary Council meetings are held generally on the second and fourth Thursday of each month (February to December).

Under the proposed change, the elected Council would meet generally once a month – scheduled for the fourth Thursday – while retaining the ability to call extraordinary meetings if needed.

Council is currently accepting feedback on the proposal via its “Have your say” webpage.

Cr Judge told NOTA he has sought further input from community members via social media to supplement the Council survey.

“Around 40 people provided detailed comments directly on social media,” Cr Judge said.

“Others contacted me privately to express their views.”

The councillor said results indicated a “high level of opposition” to reducing the number of Council meetings.

“The reasons were varied, but there was a consistent concern that fewer meetings would reduce the transparency of Council decision making.

“Others feel that fortnightly meetings provide more regular accountability and timely consideration of more urgent matters.”

Cr Judge said concerns were also expressed that monthly meetings would lead to larger meeting agendas.

“A few people noted that Council papers already exceed 1,000 pages for some meetings and there was concern that Councillors may have trouble getting fully across double that number of pages if meetings are moved to monthly.

“There was a strong view that may lead to less scrutiny of individual items and a tendency for Councillors to ‘skate over’ some items that should get full attention.”

The City of Coffs Harbour argues a monthly cycle will “allow time between meetings for the City’s operations to focus on the provision of services to the community, including the implementation of Council’s decisions”.

“This change will allow for improved efficiencies in business paper preparation and administrative processes,” it said in a statement last week.
“It is also consistent with most neighbouring councils and regional Councils of a similar size.”

Community members can have their say at https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/proposedcouncilmeetings.
Cr Judge said the proposal will likely come before Council again on 19 June.