It does not accurately portray the council's intentions with regards to the proposed Model Code of Meeting Practice for Local Councils in NSW.

A majority of the councillors, six to three, voted to include pre-meeting briefings, as part of the council’s procedures going forward.

Although not mandatory, pre-meeting briefings are promoted by the Office of Local Government as industry best practice, held in the absence of the public.

These meetings are to be exactly as described, briefings only.

They are being implemented to ensure councillors are fully briefed on any issues in the next ordinary meeting’s business papers.

Councillors are able to ask questions at those meetings, if necessary, so  they might participate in the following council meeting fully conversant with any and all issues.

Nothing can be debated at a pre-meeting briefing and no decisions made.

If any councillor has an issue with any matter or feel the need to raise that matter in a public forum, irrespective of whether or not they have raised a question at the briefing, that same question can still be raised at the following council ordinary meeting.

Our goal is for better informed, more efficient council meetings.

It is hoped that meetings can be concluded in a more timely manner and encourage more of the community to attend.

Too often, when meetings have dragged on until late in the night, we have seen members of the public leave at the break.

Shorter, more efficient meetings should address that issue and see those interested members of the public see out the entire meeting.

Another feature of the code included in the document will be guidelines as to how members of the public will be able to speak on any subject in the business papers prior to the start of the meeting.

This will enable more public participation in meetings.

The council will also introduce live webcasting of all meetings this year.

Again, a measure that will ensure more visibility.

Not all councillors agree on every issue.

However, we are fortunate to have an active, diverse group from across the Shire with new councillors, others that have served for some time, some from rural backgrounds and others more typically representing the immediate towns and villagers.

The one common thread is a desire to do what is best for our community.

Likewise our staff are a competent, dedicated group.

We are not about secret meetings. We simply want to move forward in a progressive, efficient manner meeting the needs of an ever-changing environment

The proposed Model Code of Meeting Practice is on Public Exhibition for all to see until March 21.

Anyone interested in the matter can view the Model Code of Meeting Practice on the council’s website and make a submission.