With a date set for the Parkes Shire Council Local Government election, the question of whether to hold meetings once or twice a month has again been raised.

Cr Patrica Smith believes to attract more ‘quality’ candidates for the September 10 election and possibly change the minds of current councillors considering standing down, a once a month meeting might be the answer.

The question has been raised previously during the term of the current council but put on the backburner.

“I do not know exactly what impact a once a month meeting would have on the executive and managers,” Cr Smith said.

“However,  I believe that if the council meeting day commenced at 9am with committee meetings, followed by the public meeting and the option of further committee meetings, depending on how quickly we progress through the business of the day, is something worth considering.”

Mayor Ken Keith said that while he understood fully where Cr Smith was coming from, in the end it was always up to the newly elected council to decide the meeting format for the new four year term.

However, Cr Smith said that when she first contemplated standing for council she was told at an Information Night that the two meetings a month ‘was done and dusted.’

Cr Keith supports the current format saying the once a month meeting would slow down various processes including DA approvals.

“What we need to be is honest with would-be councillors, particularly during our Information Nights in saying that being on council does impact on their lives, particularly on their families as there are many other meetings and duties of councillors outside of the normal council meetings.

“We can’t say that if elected the meetings will be once a month - it will be up to the newly elected council to decide,” Cr Keith said.

Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton suggested council should try the revised move to once a month meetings to see how they work during the life of the current council.

Cr Alan Ward said he had supported council investigating a once a month meeting when suggested a couple of months ago.

“I’m not certain that this (once a month meetings) would be appropriate or not, but I think a review of the current system might then lead to a broader spectrum of the community considering standing,” he said.

Cr Kenny McGrath supports the one meeting a month format.

“Some things could be deleted from the Business Paper and left to the directors to deal with,” Cr McGrath said.

“I remember when council meetings were only held once a month, then we went to two meetings a month so as to deal with DAs.”

Cr Keith responded by saying one meeting a month would lead to a very full day.

“Remember, we often have presentations made to council and conduct naturalisation ceremonies which would all add to the day’s proceedings.”

Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd put forward a recommendation that he investigate the administrative arrangements of other councils and report back.

Forbes Shire Council meets once a month, while other councils such as Orange and Dubbo can meet up to three times a month.

Cr Michael Greenwood asked what exactly would be achieved in talking to other councils.

“We have a shire population of 15,000 and are surrounded by councils with populations ranging from 5,000 to 40,000.

“Some of our council meetings only run for an hour,” he said.

Mr Boyd said streamlining the Business Paper was an option if that was the desire of council.

“Any changes made to the schedule would have to be advertised to the public,” Mr Boyd said.

Cr Ward replied that the best thing to do would be to notify the public that council was looking at options in regards to future meetings.

“Then candidates will know that if successful it will be something they will be able to discuss and decide as a council after the election,” he said.

Mayor Keith pointed out that only one meeting would take place during June due to the absence of himself, Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton, and General Manager Kent Boyd  attending the Australian Local Government Association General Assembly  in Canberra.

“Let’s see how we go in June,” he said.

“I agree it’s important that potential candidates go into an election knowing what changes they can make to meeting formats for the term of council.”

Meanwhile, the possibility of a once a month council meeting could see those councillors who had previously indicated uncertainty about seeking another four year term change their minds.

All 10 councillors have been approached with only five definite starters come the September 10 election.

They included Mayor Ken Keith, Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton, along with councillors Bob Haddin, Kenny McGrath and George Pratt.

Fellow councillors Belinda McCorkell, currently on leave of absence because of work commitments, Patrica Smith and Louise O’Leary are ‘weighing up their options’, Cr Michael Greenwood is ‘undecided’ and Cr Alan Ward said he’d like to think the opportunity will again allow him to stand.