24-07-2025
If you could run a Newcastle council meeting, how would you do it?
CITY of Newcastle has asked community members for their input into the set of rules that govern council meetings.
The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Newcastle council meetings and covers all aspects of them.
That includes the agenda, order of business, rules of debate and voting, the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend, and the way they are recorded and broadcast to the public.
City of Newcastle director of corporate services David Clarke said NSW laws required all councils to accept a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed model, within 12 months after an election.
Mr Clarke said it was "timely" that the review was coming after the Davidson independent review, which made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Newcastle council meetings.
"The draft code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures," he said.
"We're asking community members to take a look at the code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered."
The findings in the Davidson review related to council meetings included that management, or chairing, would benefit from greater structure and clearer adherence to speaking timelines.
The report detailed how meetings have extended beyond six hours and into the early hours of the morning on several occasions.
It also found that clarifying chief executive officer (CEO) Jeremy Bath's role in council meetings could enhance understanding among councillors and the community.
"Additionally, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the professional relationship between the lord mayor, councillors, and the CEO to support effective governance," the review said.
City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period for the draft Code of Meeting Practice and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the council meeting in September.
The draft will be considered adopted without a further report if no submissions are received by 5pm on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Community members can make submissions on the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle's website.
CITY of Newcastle has asked community members for their input into the set of rules that govern council meetings.
The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Newcastle council meetings and covers all aspects of them.
That includes the agenda, order of business, rules of debate and voting, the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend, and the way they are recorded and broadcast to the public.
City of Newcastle director of corporate services David Clarke said NSW laws required all councils to accept a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed model, within 12 months after an election.
Mr Clarke said it was "timely" that the review was coming after the Davidson independent review, which made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Newcastle council meetings.
"The draft code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures," he said.
"We're asking community members to take a look at the code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered."
The findings in the Davidson review related to council meetings included that management, or chairing, would benefit from greater structure and clearer adherence to speaking timelines.
The report detailed how meetings have extended beyond six hours and into the early hours of the morning on several occasions.
It also found that clarifying chief executive officer (CEO) Jeremy Bath's role in council meetings could enhance understanding among councillors and the community.
"Additionally, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the professional relationship between the lord mayor, councillors, and the CEO to support effective governance," the review said.
City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period for the draft Code of Meeting Practice and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the council meeting in September.
The draft will be considered adopted without a further report if no submissions are received by 5pm on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Community members can make submissions on the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle's website.
CITY of Newcastle has asked community members for their input into the set of rules that govern council meetings.
The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Newcastle council meetings and covers all aspects of them.
That includes the agenda, order of business, rules of debate and voting, the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend, and the way they are recorded and broadcast to the public.
City of Newcastle director of corporate services David Clarke said NSW laws required all councils to accept a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed model, within 12 months after an election.
Mr Clarke said it was "timely" that the review was coming after the Davidson independent review, which made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Newcastle council meetings.
"The draft code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures," he said.
"We're asking community members to take a look at the code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered."
The findings in the Davidson review related to council meetings included that management, or chairing, would benefit from greater structure and clearer adherence to speaking timelines.
The report detailed how meetings have extended beyond six hours and into the early hours of the morning on several occasions.
It also found that clarifying chief executive officer (CEO) Jeremy Bath's role in council meetings could enhance understanding among councillors and the community.
"Additionally, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the professional relationship between the lord mayor, councillors, and the CEO to support effective governance," the review said.
City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period for the draft Code of Meeting Practice and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the council meeting in September.
The draft will be considered adopted without a further report if no submissions are received by 5pm on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Community members can make submissions on the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle's website.
CITY of Newcastle has asked community members for their input into the set of rules that govern council meetings.
The Code of Meeting Practice applies to all Newcastle council meetings and covers all aspects of them.
That includes the agenda, order of business, rules of debate and voting, the timing and notification of meetings, who can attend, and the way they are recorded and broadcast to the public.
City of Newcastle director of corporate services David Clarke said NSW laws required all councils to accept a Code of Meeting Practice, based on the prescribed model, within 12 months after an election.
Mr Clarke said it was "timely" that the review was coming after the Davidson independent review, which made findings and recommendations into the conduct of Newcastle council meetings.
"The draft code also contains some additional clauses and changes to align with City of Newcastle practices and procedures," he said.
"We're asking community members to take a look at the code and share their thoughts on the provisions, as well as any changes they think should be considered."
The findings in the Davidson review related to council meetings included that management, or chairing, would benefit from greater structure and clearer adherence to speaking timelines.
The report detailed how meetings have extended beyond six hours and into the early hours of the morning on several occasions.
It also found that clarifying chief executive officer (CEO) Jeremy Bath's role in council meetings could enhance understanding among councillors and the community.
"Additionally, there is an opportunity to further strengthen the professional relationship between the lord mayor, councillors, and the CEO to support effective governance," the review said.
City of Newcastle will review submissions received during the public exhibition period for the draft Code of Meeting Practice and prepare a summary to be included in a report to the council meeting in September.
The draft will be considered adopted without a further report if no submissions are received by 5pm on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
Community members can make submissions on the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle's website.
