Open and transparent Council meetings and Committee meetings underpin representative democracy and ensure public confidence in Council’s decision-making processes.

Informal gatherings provide a valuable opportunity to enhance Council’s decision-making processes by providing opportunities for Council and Committee Members to become better informed on issues and seek further clarification.

What is an Informal Gathering?

An Informal Gathering or Discussion is a gathering or discussion to which all Council Members or Council Committee Members (as the case may be) are invited.

A Designated Informal Gathering or Discussion is an event organised and conducted by or on behalf of the Council or Chief Executive Officer to which members of the Council or Council Committee (as the case may be) have been invited and that involves discussion of a matter that is, or is intended to be, part of the agenda for a formal meeting of the Council or Council Committee. (refer Regulation 8AB(2) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2013).

When is an Informal Gathering Open to the Public?

n Informal Gathering which does not involve discussion of a matter that is, or is intended to be, part of the agenda for a formal meeting of the Council or Council Committee, is not a designated informal gathering or discussion and will not be open to the public, unless otherwise determined by the Council or Chief Executive Officer.

Designated Informal Gatherings or Discussions will be held at a place open to the public, except where the designated informal gathering or discussion has been declared by the Council or Chief Executive Officer to be a 'confidential informal discussion' – where the designated informal gathering or discussion is either:-

1. a planning session of a general or strategic nature; or
2. a briefing session relating to information or a matter of a confidential nature within the ambit of section 90(3) of the Local Government Act.

For more information, refer to Council’s Informal Gatherings Policy here.

Informal Gatherings Schedule