Councillors do all or most of their legally effective decision-making in Council meetings as part of a group. Councillors are required to attend meetings regularly and vote on all matters coming before a meeting. A failure to vote is counted as a vote in the negative.

The framework for meetings is set by:

• the Local Government Act 1993 (Chapter 6, Part 1)
• a local government's Local Laws
• Subordinate Local Laws (Standing Orders)
• common sense.

The Local Government Act 1993 requires that a majority vote be obtained at a properly convened meeting or that decisions be made pursuant to a power of delegation granted by the local government.

Agenda management and minutes recording

Agenda, minutes and the actual decisions taken by councils are arguably the most important records of local governments. Well prepared agenda, orderly meetings and minutes that accurately reflect the proceedings of councils and their committees, are essential to the objectives of council as an effective, efficient and accountable system of government.

As public documents, minutes promote community partnership in the affairs of local government and provide access to council decisions and deliberations. As a legal and historical record, minutes give evidence that council has acted properly and within its authority. As a working document, minutes provide authority for the expenditure of funds and directives for councillors and council staff in the performance of their duties.

Members of the public can contact their local Council to access a copy of the most recent agenda and minutes, or access council's website via the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation's Local Government Directory.

Resource

Best Practice Guideline - Agenda Management and Minute Recording