Public Exhibition of the Draft Code of Meeting Practice
At the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 24 March, 2026, Council endorsed the Draft Code of Meeting Practice for 28 days of public exhibition via Council’s website, from 25 March 2026 to 23 April, 2026 with submissions able to be provided up to 14 May, 2026.
The Draft Code of Meeting Practice applies to all meetings of Council and Committees of Council of which all the members are Councillors. Councils and Committees of Council must conduct their meetings in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice adopted by the Council.
The Office of Local Government underwent an extensive review of the Model Code of Meeting Practice and made significant changes to the mandatory provisions of the Model Code of Meeting Practice.
A key focus of the changes made to the 2025 Code of Meeting practice is an amendment to Clause 11.5 which is proposed to read – All voting at council meetings (except for Closed Council), must be recorded in the minutes of meetings with the names of councillors who voted for and against each motion or amendment (including the use of the casting vote) being recorded.
Due to the nature of matters considered in Closed Council, there is no requirement under the Local Government Act 1993 to record individual voting in the Council Meeting minutes.
Councils are required to consult with their communities prior to adopting a code of meeting practice and to provide members of the community with at least 28 days in which to make submissions.
Submission Guidelines
We invite your feedback and submissions will be accepted until close of business on 14 May, 2026 and you should quote Draft Code of Meeting Practice.
Submissions should be addressed to the General Manager and can be submitted in the following ways:
- Email – council@muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au
- Post – PO Box 122, Muswellbrook 2333
Draft Code of Meeting Practice
Privacy
Submissions are used for the purpose of considering the specific document on Public Exhibition and become a record of Council. Any personal information you provide to us will be used and disclosed for this purpose, or a directly related purpose, unless you consent to another use or disclosure, in emergencies or as otherwise required or authorised by law. The provision of information to Council is voluntary.
Submissions are considered open access information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 and may be included in Council’s meeting business paper and accessible to the public on Council’s website.
Under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, you have the right to access your personal information held by Council, without excessive delay or expense. You also have the right to have your personal information corrected in certain circumstances (e.g. if it is inaccurate). Should you wish to access or correct your personal information, please make a written request to Council by:
- Post – PO Box 122, Muswellbrook NSW 2333
- Email – council@muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au
For more information, please read Council’s Privacy Management Plan available on our Policies and Documents page. If you have any queries about this privacy statement, please contact Council.
