Farrell: Council meeting times ‘must be more inclusive’ to the public

SDLP Councillor Rory Farrell has said that “meeting times must be more inclusive” ahead of today’s first Full Council meeting of the newly-elected Derry City & Strabane District Council.

The Ballyarnett representative is proposing a motion asking that the timings of Full Council and most committee meetings move from 4pm to 6pm.

Councillor Farrell said: “Our meetings start too early and this prevents sectors of our community from actively engaging in local decision making.

“We have the earliest start times of all the 11 councils throughout the North and we as a party feel this needs to change.

“Our current meeting schedule acts as a barrier to inclusion in the democratic process.

“We are the only council that holds its Full Council meeting before 6pm and we are the only council that holds non-planning committee meetings before 5pm.

“We operate within normally recognised working hours while all other councils conduct their business outside of those hours.

“Most working adults finish work at 5 or 6pm and our meetings are normally wrapping up by then.

“This prevents people involved with community organisations, interest groups and clubs from attending council meetings where issues close to their heart are being discussed.

“It also prevents people in certain professions, like teaching, from entering the world of politics as they have little flexibility in their day job.

“We firmly believe that a change in meeting times will be good for this council. We believe that meetings, be they committees or Full Council, should be held at a time that encourages maximum participation.

“We believe that we should be inclusive and actively promote engagement.

“We shouldn’t hold important meetings that have an impact on our society at a time when most people are at work.

“And we shouldn’t have a meeting schedule that prevents capable and committed potential councillors from entering political life.”

Councillor Farrell concluded: “We need to take a leaf from every other council’s book and change our meeting times.

“It will lead to a more accessible council.

“It will lead to a more inclusive council. And it will eventually lead to better outcomes for everyone in this city and district.”

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