There has been Local Government reform and the Statutes Amendment (Local Government Review) Act 2021 has commenced partial operation on the 16 September 2021.
Due to this reform Informal Gatherings have now become Information / Briefing Sessions. Section 90A of the Local Government Act is a new section that replaces previous provisions and regulations relating to Informal Gatherings under Section 90(8).
Section 90A of the Local Government Act 1999 provides that the Council or the Chief Executive Officer may arrange for the holding of an Information or Briefing Session. To constitute an Information or Briefing Session under the Local Government Act more than one (1) member of the Council or Council Committee must be invited to attend to be involved in the session.
Information or Briefing Sessions do not apply to formal Council meetings, a meeting between a Mayor or Council Member to discuss a constituent's concerns, or two Ward Councillors having a coffee or a training session for all Council Members.
Information or Briefing Sessions may be used to help Elected Members to become better informed on issues or seek further clarification. Information or Briefing Sessions are not used for decision making. Decisions by Council can only be made at formal Meetings of Council.
If the Information or Briefing Session excludes the public (Section 90A(5) of the Local Government Act 1999) a record must be made of the grounds in which the order is made, the basis on why the information falls within the order and reason why it would be contrary to public interest.
After holding an Information or Briefing Session, as soon as practicable, the place date and time of the session, the matter discussed at the session and whether the session was closed to the public must be published on a website determined by the CEO.
A schedule of Information or Briefing Sessions is provided below.