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COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE – 2026 · Report
SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 7 OCTOBER 2025
7.5 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE – 2026
Author Chief Executive Officer, Larry Sengstock
CEO's Office | Office of the CEO & Mayor
Index ECM/ Subject/ Council Meetings General
Attachments 1. 2026 Meeting Schedule - EXTERNAL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Council adopts its meeting timetable annually to ensure transparency and effective planning. This
approach allows the community to stay informed about scheduled Council meetings and enables
staff to coordinate agenda preparation accordingly. This report presents the proposed meeting
timetable for the period January to December 2026 for Council’s consideration and adoption.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting
dated 7 October 2025;
B. Approve the Council Meeting schedule for January-December 2026 as set out in Attachment 1
to the Report; and
C. Note Council's commitment to community engagement, in particular holding Ordinary Meetings
in the community, and therefore times and venue of Ordinary Meetings adopted in Attachment 1
may be changed by via Council Resolution in order to facilitate this.
REPORT
At the Post Election Meeting held on 8 April 2024, Council adopted its meeting structure,
incorporating three Standing Committees and one Ordinary meeting. Since that time, the structure
has been reviewed periodically and, to date, remains unchanged. Meetings continue to be held on
a monthly cycle.
This report recommends adopting the proposed meeting dates for the 2026 calendar year, aligned
with the current meeting structure. It is noted however, that adopting this schedule would not
preclude future review of the meeting structure or schedule, both of which may be amended by
resolution of Council.
As in previous years, the first meeting round of the year in January 2026 will comprise only a General
Committee Meeting (19 January) and an Ordinary Meeting (22 January). No Planning & Environment
Committee or Services & Organisation Committee meetings will be held in January due to report
preparation timelines overlapping with the Christmas/New Year period and limited staff and
Councillor availability during this time.
Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 5. - Excellence
This theme focuses on customer experience, financial sustainability, innovation and technology,
levels of service, governance, our employees and volunteers, funding streams and asset
management practices.
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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 7 OCTOBER 2025
Previous Council Consideration
Post Election Meeting 8 April 2024
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) to the Post Election meeting
dated 8 April 2024 regarding the continuation of Standing Committees and the adoption of the
Council meeting timetable until 30 June 2024 and:
A. Approve the continuation of the Planning and Environment Committee, the Services and
Organisation Committee, and the General Committee as Standing Committees under section
264 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, with the relevant roles and responsibilities
identified in the Chief Executive Officer’s report;
B. Note that pursuant to section 267 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, each Committee
will appoint its own chairperson;
C. Adopt the times and dates of future meetings of the Council and Committees in accordance with
the Meeting Calendar until 30 June 2024 shown at Attachment 1 to the report. Prepare a report
to Council with potential revised meeting structure from 1 July 2024 to be presented in next
available meeting round;
D. Appoint the following Councillors to each of the Committees:
Planning and Environment Committee
Mayor Frank Wilkie
Councillor Amelia Lorentson
Councillor Brian Stockwell
Councillor Tom Wegener
Services and Organisation Committee
Mayor Frank Wilkie
Councillor Karen Finzel
Councillor Jessica Phillips
Councillor Nicola Wilson
General Committee
The Mayor and all Councillors
Ordinary Meeting Minutes 16 May 2024
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) to the Ordinary Meeting dated
16 May 2024 and approve the Council Meeting dates for the remainder of 2024 (July-December) as
set out in Attachment 1 to the Report.
Special Meeting Minutes 3 June 2024
That Council
A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer (Acting) to the Special Meeting dated 3 June 2024
regarding a change of venue for a Council meeting;
B. Pursuant to Section 257(3)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, resolve to hold the
Ordinary Meeting on 20 June 2024 at the Pomona Memorial School of Arts, 6 Reserve St, Pomona
commencing at 5pm;
C. Request the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that suitable advertising is undertaken to promote
this community based Council Meeting; and
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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 7 OCTOBER 2025 D. Note that Council plan to livestream the meeting and place a copy of the recording on Council's website. Ordinary Meeting Minutes 17 October 2024 That Council A. Note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 8 October 2024 regarding the Ordinary Meeting dated 21 November 2024; and B. Pursuant to Section 257(3)(b) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, resolve to 1. change the commencement time of the Ordinary Meeting on 21 November 2024 (from 10am) to 5pm; and 2. change the venue for the meeting to Peregian Beach Community House; C. Request the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that suitable advertising is undertaken to promote this community based Council Meeting; and D. Note that Council plan to livestream the meeting and place a copy of the recording on Council's website. Ordinary Meeting Minutes 21 November 2024 That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation Committee Meeting dated 12 November 2024 and A. Approve the Council Meeting schedule for January-December 2025 as set out in Attachment 1 to the Report; and B. Note Council's commitment to community engagement, and in particular holding Ordinary Meetings in the community. Times and venue of ordinary meetings may be changed by council resolution in order to facilitate this. Finance Provision exists within the budget to meet standard expenses associated with the conduct of Council Meetings. Risk & Opportunities Section 254B of the Local Government Regulation 2012 (the Regulation) requires Council to publish, at least once per year, a notice of the days and times of its Ordinary Meetings and Standing Committee Meetings. Section 257 of the Regulation requires local governments to meet at least once per month. There is a risk that Council would be in breach of the Regulation if it elected to alter the frequency of meetings to less than once per month, and/or if it elected not to adopt and publish an annual meeting schedule. Human Rights Human Rights Compatibility Statement In developing this report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with Council’s Human Rights Policy. Consultation External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder Nil.
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SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING 7 OCTOBER 2025
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
Office of the CEO, Mayor & Community Services Corporate Services
Councillors
Mayor & Councillors Director Director
x Chief Executive Officer Community Connection Financial Services
Executive Officers Sport & Active Lifestyles Fleet
Community Engagement Arts & Culture Revenue Services
People & Culture Customer Experience ICT
Governance Procurement
Commercial Property
Strategy & Environment Development & Regulation Infrastructure Services
Director Director Director
Strategy & Sustainability Development Assessment Infrastructure Planning, Design
and Delivery
Economic Development & Local Laws Civil and Asset operations
Destination Management
Environmental Services Environmental Health Waste
Innovation & Digital Hub Building & Plumbing Building & Facilities
Property / Permits Disaster Management