Council introduces Community Question time

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The introduction of questions from the community sessions follows a decision of the council's interim administrator Mr Viv May enabling interested persons to ask questions relating to the business of the council.

"This forum enables community members to once again ask questions direct of the council," he said.

The interim administrator will verbally respond to all questions however will reserve the right to take any question on notice and provide a response within seven days of the session.

"It's important that the council listens to its residents," Mr May said.

"This is another step the council is taking towards re-establishing openness and transparency and restoring the community's trust in its decision-making processes."

Members of the community wishing to ask questions must register their attendance in writing no later than 12pm on the day of the session.

Residents asking questions must attend the session in person with up to two questions allotted per person.

Mr May said that pending the easing of public health orders the meetings would be open to the community as a priority. Should public health orders remain in place arrangements will be made to host the sessions remotely.

The questions from the community sessions will be held from 2.45pm on the day of the council meeting however will not be live-streamed or broadcast.

"By doing this we're providing those persons with a genuine interest to raise any questions relating to business of the council," Mr May said.

"It will also eliminate any grand-standing or playing to the gallery which was a feature of the previous terms of the council."

For more information including question eligibility and registration forms that must be submitted to participate in the sessions, visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-Meeting-Minutes-Agendas#section-7.

Persons wishing to participate in questions from the community are reminded that the sessions are not a substitute for an approach from a resident direct to the council's administration.

The sessions do not replace the formal council appeal and review systems nor are they a mechanism to reverse formal decisions of the council.

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