Meeting papers

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.



                                                                                                Page 41 of 50