Council meetings centralised in Armidale

Ordinary Council Meetings will now be centralised in Armidale to safely accommodate more members of the public and provide a technologically advanced experience for the community, councillors and staff.

As we learn to live with COVID-19, adjustments have been required to the way we organise meetings and the venues we hold them in. The Guyra Chambers was never designed to accommodate eleven councillors plus senior executive, meeting support staff as well as allow for the maximum level of face-to-face participation by the community.

Mayor Sam Coupland said we have a duty of care to ensure we conduct council meetings safely, provide the best live streaming experience and consider social distancing practices for the foreseeable future.

“I want to ensure we provide the best experience for the community, councillors and staff when viewing and participating in council meetings,” said Mayor Coupland

“This can be better achieved by holding meetings in the larger chambers in Armidale that has also been expertly setup with the latest technology to live stream the meetings.”

Guyra residents can be assured that there will be ample opportunity for meaningful and regular contact with councillors and the council in general.

Council meetings will be streamed live in the Guyra chambers every month for the community to access if they do not have internet at home and this month’s council meeting on Wednesday 25 May will be in Guyra.

“We recently held a community meeting in Guyra to discuss ways in which council can build meaningful relationships with the Guyra community,” said Mayor Coupland

“Council meetings should not be the only way in which the people of Guyra can engage with councillors and feel part of decision making. We are currently working on developing regular outreach activities between council and the Guyra community that will allow people to advocate for causes and issues directly affecting the Guyra community.”

Ordinary Council Meetings dates until the end of the year are: Wednesday 25 May 2022, 4pm (Guyra) Wednesday 29 June 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 27 July 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 24 August 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 28 September 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 26 October 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 23 November 2022, 4pm (Armidale) Wednesday 14 December 2022, 4pm (Armidale)

Published on 18 May 2022