Many of you are aware of the meeting schedule for the Bass Coast Council Shire each year.

There have been some changes to our meeting times in order to streamline the process.

Councillors and Council officers have a minimum of three scheduled meetings per month. The three scheduled meetings are held on Wednesdays:

• Public briefings are held in Cowes or Wonthaggi monthly and are scheduled to finish at 6.00pm. The starting time depends on the extent of the briefings we have, some times we may start at 12 noon other times we may start at 2.00pm. This is not a decision making meeting. The schedule and agenda of the briefings are published in the local papers and on our website.
• Policy meetings are held at Newhaven or Wonthaggi each month and scheduled to finish at 6.00pm. The starting depends of the extent of the number of policy matters that need to be discussed and the length of time necessary to workshop the issues. Policy meetings are NOT a decision making meeting, but they enable to clarify positions in order to make decisions as the following Council meeting.
• Ordinary Council Meetings are held at Cowes and Wonthaggi. They are scheduled to commence at 5.00pm each month and are expected to be concluded no later than 8.00pm. This meeting IS the only decision making forum of Council and incorporates a questions at the commencement of the meeting. Because of privacy reasons Council is required to determine contractual matters “in camera” (a closed session) following the Ordinary Council meeting. The schedule, agenda and minutes of the Council meetings are published in the local papers and on our website.

Councillors and Council officers are also involved in numerous committee meetings during the month which are held at various times. Recommendations come from these meetings, but they must come to the Ordinary Council Meeting for approval.

Our meeting schedule is very similar to many of the other councils throughout Victoria. Our meeting schedule is based upon being family friendly, accessible, transparent and welcoming.

We are continually seeking to improve our meeting schedules and if you have any suggestions of how we can do this, we would appreciate your comments. If you know of any other practices in other councils that would benefit Bass Coast Shire Council we would welcome your input.

Everyone is welcome to attend Public Briefings and Ordinary Council Meetings.

Besides our Council meetings I would like to remind everyone that we have a radio show on 3MFM at Tuesday 8.30am and Thursday 4.30pm.

Cr Peter Paul, Mayor
Bass Coast Shire Council