Code of Practice for Access to Council, Council Committee and Information or Briefing Session Meetings & Documents

Results from this consultation were presented to Council in August 2023 and the Code of Practice has now been adopted. A copy can be found on our website here: Council Documents • Adelaide Hills Council (ahc.sa.gov.au)

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback this consultation is now closed.

We want your feedback on the draft Code of Practice for Access to Council, Council Committee and Information or Briefing Sessions Meetings and Documents.

What's changed?

Minor updates to legislative provisions and terminology in the Code of Practice have been made and we are now seeking your comments.

Background

The Code of Practice sets out the commitment of Council to provide public access to Council, Council Committee and Information or Briefing Session meetings and Council and Council Committee documents and outlines the policies and procedures contained within the Act, to restrict public access. The Code includes:

• information on the relevant provisions of the Act;
• Council’s policy on public access and participation;
• the process that will be adopted where public access to a meeting or a document is restricted;
• grievance procedures to be followed if a member of the public believes that the Council has unreasonably restricted public access on a particular matter.

This Code sets out the policy of Council for access to meetings and documents and includes information relating to:

• access to the agenda for meetings;
• public access to meetings;
• livestreaming/broadcasting of meetings;
• the process to exclude the public from meetings;
• matters for which the Council, a Council Committee, or an Information or Briefing Session can order that the public be excluded;
• how the Council will approach the use of the confidentiality provisions in the Act;
• public access to documents, including minutes;
• review of confidentiality orders;
• accountability and reporting to the community, and the availability of the code; and
• grievances about the use of the code by Council

How can feedback be provided?

• Completing an online or hard copy submission form
• Make a submission either by email, letter or phone
  • Email Melissa Grimes, Governance Assistance via mgrimes@ahc.sa.gov.au
  • Phone: 8408 0400
  • Post: 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling SA 5152

Feedback must be provided by 5pm Wednesday 16 August 2023.