ATTENDING & PARTICIPATING IN A MEETING
Questions & Answers

   The City of Ryde welcomes public input at Committee and Council Meetings.

Who can speak at a Committee or Council Meeting?

Committee Meeting

You may speak if you have an interest in the particular matter. You can have someone speak on your behalf. You can also speak as a representative of a local community organisation or authority.

Council Meeting

You may speak if you are a resident or a ratepayer of the City of Ryde or you can have someone else speak on your behalf.  You can also speak as a representative of a local community organisation or authority.

Are there any restrictions on what I can speak about?

Committee Meeting

At a Committee Meeting you may speak on any matter listed on the agenda for that meeting, except for "confidential" matters under the Local Government Act, e.g. some legal matters, tenders, personnel matters – check with the staff if you're not sure.  No person may speak more than once at a committee meeting, except where more than one item deals directly with the  person's property or the person is representing more than one property owner.

Council Meeting

At a Council Meeting you may speak on any Council related matter whether it is listed on the agenda or not, except for: matters where Council is exercising its "judicial" powers, e.g. local development applications. "confidential" matters under the Local Government Act, e.g. some legal matters, tenders, personnel matters – check with the staff if you're not sure.

Are there any rules for speaking at the meeting?

Committee Meeting

As a general rule each speaker is given 5 minutes (a maximum of 15 minutes for a group) or as previously arranged with the Committee Clerk. You can only speak on the matter when invited to join the meeting by the Chairperson. The order of speakers is determined by the Chairperson. You may use and distribute printed information, sketches, etc. An audiovisual presentation can be accommodated by prior arrangement with the Committee Clerk.

Council Meeting

30 minutes is allocated at the beginning of the meeting for items listed on the agenda. 15 minutes is allocated at the end of the meeting for items not listed on the agenda. Each speaker has 3 minutes – there is a warning bell after 2 minutes. For fairness to everyone, no extensions of time are given and there is no question and answer period. You may use and distribute printed information, sketches etc. but we can't accommodate audiovisual equipment. The order of speakers is allocated on a first-come first-served basis. To be fair to everyone, you can only speak once at a meeting and you can't speak on the same subject more than once in a 3-month period.

How do I arrange to speak at a Meeting?

Committee Meeting

Please contact the nominated Clerk of the Committee Meeting prior to 12 noon on the day of the meeting.

Committee of the Whole - Scott Allen (02) 9952 8066 sallen@ryde.nsw.gov.au

Finance & Audit Committee - Scott Allen (02) 9952 8066 sallen@ryde.nsw.gov.au

Development Committee - Amanda Janvrin (02) 9952 8194 ajanvrin@ryde.nsw.gov.au - Having your say at Development Committee (PDF 58KB)

Public Facilities & Services Committee - Scott Allen (02) 9952 8066 sallen@ryde.nsw.gov.au

Council Meeting

Please complete the Request to Address Council Meeting form and return to Councillor Services by 4.30pm on the day before the meeting.  You can do this up to 14 days in advance of the meeting. We will then get back to you as quickly as possible. You can get additional forms from the Ryde Civic Centre, any Ryde City Library, or phone Councillor Services on 9952 8066, fax - 9952 8055.

Need more information?

Any questions, please phone the Manager - Councillor Services, Scott Allen on (02) 9952 8066. The City of Ryde thanks you for your interest in participating in Committee and Council Meetings.