Meetings
Introduction
Democracy is a form of Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people collectively and is administered by them or by officers appointed by them.
Members are democratically elected by the people and represent them at Local Government level. Their civic status is very important as they are acting on a mandate from the people. Councillors need to be able to fully realise their policy role and be provided with a strong support framework from the Local Authority.
A team mentality is vital if the Elected Members and Local Government Authority are to succeed in their role in society. Therefore the importance of Council Meetings cannot be overstated, as they are an integral part of Democracy at Local Government level.
Type and Frequency
Meetings must be held on days and at times as the local authority decide by either resolution or by fixed standing orders.
Meetings of a Local Authority may be held in Irish or English or in both languages[1].
The location for meetings is normally the principle offices of the Local Authority.
There are three types of meetings which must be held during the course of a year.
- Ordinary meetings.
- Budget meeting.
- Annual meeting.
Ordinary Meetings (Monthly)
In New Ross Ordinary Council Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday in every month, except August, and generally commence at 19:30 hrs. These meetings deal with the day to day running of the Councils business. The schedule for these meetings in the forthcoming year is approved at the annual meeting.
Monthly Meeting Minutes are available to the public.
Minutes are only available once formally adopted by the Council, this occurs at the following month's meeting e.g. March minutes are adopted at the April Monthly Meeting.
Budget Meetings
Budget meetings are held by Local Authorities within the period prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for the purposes of that section[1]. These meetings deal with the estimated Revenue and Expenditure for the year ahead.
Due to the restraints and limits on the amount of finance available in Local Government it is essential that the adopted Budget will allow for the provision of services at the required level.
The new local rate taxation is also set at these meetings and will generally be governed by any shortfall between income and expenditure.
Annual Meetings
Annual Meetings are held in either May or June as decided by resolution or fixed by standing orders. However, within a year that a local election has been held, the meeting shall be on the tenth day after polling. If the polling has been countermanded, interrupted or adjourned it shall be held on the day after the poll is completed or the new poll is held.[1]
One of the tasks carried out at the Annual Meeting is the election of the Cathaoirleach[2] and Leas-Cathaoirleach[3].
[1] If this day is an excluded day, the Annual Meeting shall be held on the following day.
[2] Chairperson
[3] Vice Chairperson
Special Meetings
A requisition to hold a Special Meeting (Local Government Act 2001 Schedule 10 Section 6) may be submitted by the Cathaoirleach or if this office is vacant or is unable to act, by the Leas-Cathaoirleach or by the Cathaoirleach at the request of at least five members.
Minutes
Minutes of the proceedings at a Local Authority meeting are taken and kept as a written record of the decisions that have been made.
Minutes should include:
The minutes, with or without amendment must be confirmed (Adopted) as an accurate record of the meeting at the next ordinary meeting, and duly recorded in the minutes of that meeting. Once confirmed they shall be signed by the person chairing that meeting
Once confirmation has taken place it is possible to view the minutes at the offices of the Local Authority during normal business hours or on-line (See menu option on the top right).