Inverell Shire Council has resolved to establish a Strategy and Policy Committee in response to recent amendments to the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021, supporting the consideration of complex strategic and policy matters in a structured and compliant setting.
The Local Government (General) Amendment (Meetings) Regulation 2026 came into force on 26 June 2026 and introduces a range of changes to meeting practice, including requirements relating to livestreaming, meeting conduct and pre-meeting interactions between councillors and staff.
At its meeting, Council noted the regulatory amendments and resolved to establish the Strategy and Policy Committee under its 2023 Code of Meeting Practice.
The Committee will review more complex matters considered to be of significant strategic or policy importance before they are referred to Council for formal determination.
The Committee will consist of all councillors and meet on the second Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or Council.
Its effectiveness and performance will be reviewed before Council adopts a new Code of Meeting Practice.
The Strategy and Policy Committee Meetings will be open to the community and also live streamed like Council Meetings.
Mayor Kate Dight said, “Council recognises the importance of transparency, accountability and open decision-making, while also ensuring Councillors have access to the information they need to make well-informed decisions on behalf of the community.
The Strategy and Policy Committee provides a practical way to consider significant strategic and policy issues in a structured and compliant setting before matters are brought forward for formal Council determination.”
Council will continue to monitor guidance from the Office of Local Government and ensure its meeting practices remain consistent with the Local Government Act 1993, the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 and Council’s adopted Code of Meeting Practice.
Media Release: Inverell Shire council
