City of Coffs Harbour Council has endorsed a change which it says will make it easier for its advisory committees to run valid meetings.
Terms of reference for the City’s advisory committees stipulate a quorum is more than 50% of the appointed members. However, an amendment to the terms will allow meetings to proceed if more than one voting member is present and the City deems the meeting can go ahead.
The change applies to the following:
- Australia Day Committee
- Coastal and Estuary Management Advisory Committee
- Disability Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee
- Floodplain Risk Management Committee
- Positive Ageing Advisory Committee
- Sustainability Advisory Committee; and the
- Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
“These committees are advisory in nature and don’t make decisions on behalf of Council, so the change is really about enabling useful discussion and feedback opportunities that might otherwise be lost,” said Council Business Services Director, Hayley Harris.
“As their names suggest, each of these committees has a particular area of interest and the members’ insights can inform Council in the exercising of its authority.”
The advisory committees will still have to reach a quorum if taking a formal vote, for example on the appointment of a committee office holder.
The Council also endorsed the appointment of Jane Leach to the Australia Day Committee.
Additionally, Council approved an amendment to the Yandaarra Aboriginal Advisory Committee terms of reference to introduce a staggered membership model, with appointments for half of the positions made every two years.
“Individual appointments would still be for a four-year term but the change will avoid having to replace an entire committee all at once. So the new approach will help to maintain a continuity of knowledge and experience in the committee’s membership,” Ms Harris said.
