The Waitaki District Council is looking at changing its meeting times, and taking meetings on the road to Palmerston and Otematata.
Councillors in September asked for information and options on alternative times to the usual 9am start times on Tuesdays for council and committee meetings.
There had been some discussion about the convenience of the 9am starts and public access to meetings, including public forums held at the start of council meetings for people to raise issues and comment on agenda items.
A report for the council meeting this Tuesday gives several options, but staff prefer retaining the present 9am start. They also recommend having a meeting in Otematata and Palmerston before the October elections next year.
Other options which had been discussed included starting at 12.30pm with workshops before meetings, having clinics with the Mayor and/or councillors and investigating use of technology for councillors to take part in meetings remotely.
An analysis of the length of meetings since February last year showed council meetings averaged 5.5 hours, although they could be up to more than nine hours. Committee meetings averaged 5.6 hours and could last up to 10 hours.
Policy manager Fraser Liggett emphasised that, despite the staff preference, the decision was one for the council.
"If there is a view that a later start time would provide more opportunity for engagement with the community and be more effective for elected members, officers will adjust the current meeting processes accordingly," he said.
