Briefing Sessions
Elected Member Briefing Sessions
Elected Member information or briefing sessions (if required) are held at times determined by the Administration.
Briefing sessions are scheduled by the Administration in consultation with the Presiding Member, and taking into account the availability of key staff and consultants required to provide advice and guidance at the briefing. We strive to schedule briefing sessions that allow maximum attendance of Council Members, and it is noted that sometimes, due to work and family commitments, it is not always possible to achieve a 100% attendance rate at all sessions.
Information and Briefings are normally held in the Council Chambers, Melrose, unless otherwise advised.
Information and briefing sessions provide a valuable opportunity to enhance council decision-making processes by allowing council members to become better informed on issues and seek further clarification before making decisions at formally constituted council meetings.
Elected Member Sessions are held to:
- discuss issues involving strategy and policy
- discuss a planning session of a general or strategic nature, or
- brief Elected Members on issues relating to their decision-making function.
They provide a valuable opportunity to enhance the decision-making processes by providing opportunities for Elected Members to become better informed on issues and seek further clarification.
Elected Member Sessions are not used for conducting the general business of the Council or making Council decisions in any way that the Council may subsequently deal with at a formal meeting.
A session may be closed to the public to allow attendees to receive, discuss or consider information or a matter listed in Section 90(3) of the Local Government Act, subject to an order being made to that effect. If an order is made to close a session under a confidential provision than that order can be made by either Council or the CEO.
Please note, if all topics for discussion are of a confidential nature, the briefing will not be open to public viewing. If one or more of the topics are confidential, they will be considered at the end of the agenda allowing the public to leave before the discussion.
