At its meeting on 23 September 2025, Council decided the following:

1. That Council publicly exhibit the draft Code of Meeting Practice for a period of 28 days and seek community feedback on the proposed Policy for 42 days, subject to the inclusion of the following clauses:

a) 10.15 A Councillor may propose a foreshadowed motion in relation to the matter the subject of the original motion before the Council, without a seconder during debate on the original motion. The foreshadowed motion is only to be considered if the original motion is lost or withdrawn and the foreshadowed motion is then moved and seconded. If the original motion is carried, the foreshadowed motion lapses;

b) 10.16 Where an amendment has been moved and seconded, a Councillor may, without a seconder, foreshadow a further amendment that they propose to move after the first amendment has been dealt with. There is no limit to the number of foreshadowed amendments that may be put before the Council at any time. However, no discussion can take place on foreshadowed amendments until the previous amendment has been dealt with and the foreshadowed amendment has been moved and seconded; and

c) 10.17 Foreshadowed motions and foreshadowed amendments are to be considered in the order in which they are proposed. However, foreshadowed motions cannot be considered until all foreshadowed amendments have been dealt with.

2. That following the conclusion of the exhibition period, the draft Code of Meeting Practice be brought back to Council for consideration for adoption.

What is Code of Meeting Practice?

The Code outlines the procedures for the conduct of Council and Committee Meetings.

The Local Government Act 1993 requires councils to adopt a code of meeting practice that is consistent with the Model Code of Meeting Practice prescribed by the Office of Local Government (OLG). The OLG released the Model Code on 29 August 2025 and Councils are required to review and adopt their Code by 31 December 2025.

Councils need to adopt a code of meeting practice that is consistent with the Model Code by 31 December 2025. The Local Government Act 1993 requires that Council publicly exhibits a draft Code and invite submissions from the public for 42 days and then report back to Council to adopt a Code.

The purpose of this Code of Meeting Practice is to provide a clear and consistent framework for how meetings are conducted.

The Code sets out seven meeting principles under which Council and committee meetings should be conducted.


Transparent:

Decisions are made in a way that is open and accountable.

Informed:

Decisions are made based on relevant, quality information.

Inclusive:

Decisions respect the diverse needs and interests of the local community.

Principled:

Decisions are informed by the principles prescribed under Chapter 3 of the Act.

Trusted:

The community has confidence that Councillors and staff act ethically and make decisions in the interests of the whole community.

Effective:

Meetings are well organised, effectively run and skilfully chaired.

Orderly:

Councillors, staff and meeting attendees behave in a way that contributes to the orderly conduct of the meeting.

The Code applies to all meetings of Councils and committees of Councils of which all the members are Councillors (committees of Council). Council committees whose members include persons other than Councillors may adopt their own rules for meetings unless the Council determines otherwise.

Click to read the Code of Meeting Pracitce open in new window

Alternatively you can view hard copy at the following locations:

  • Ashfield Customer Service Centre
    260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield NSW 2131
    Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
    Leichhardt Customer Service Centre
  • 7-15 Wetherill Street, Leichhardt NSW 2040
    Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
    Petersham Customer Service Centre
  • 2-14 Fisher Street, Petersham NSW 2049
    Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm

Have your say

You can provide feedback by:

Other ways to provide feedback:

  • Call a FREE Interpreter or the National Relay Service, Monday to Friday between 9am-4pm and provide our phone number 02 9392 5560
    • Free Interpreter call TIS National on 131 450
    • Voice relay call 1300 555 727
    • TTY call 133 677
    • SMS relay call 0423 677 767

Last day to provide feedback is 9 November 2025.

Complete the form

To complete the form please create an account to join, or login to an existing account. The Your Say Inner West account is separate from other Council accounts.

What happens next?

Following the public exhibition period a report including your feedback will be brought back to Council for consideration to adopt. All those who provided feedback will be notified when the report will be considered by Council.