Kiama Council has updated its Code of Meeting Practice, which sets the rules for debate in the chamber.

"The whole thing is new, as it hadn't been updated for seven years," says Council's CEO Jane Stroud.

"The Model Code has been refreshed twice in that time, and we haven't kept up with that."

Amongst other things the changes to the Model Code allow for attendance by audiovisual link if necessary.

Some of the changes to established local practices are:

• the number of five minute timeslots at public access increasing from 10 to 12
• reducing the time a councillor can speak to no more than three minutes at one time (down from five)
• Public Access is now called Public Forum
• meeting are to conclude by 8pm unless a resolution allows an extension.

After much discussion, an amendment not put to public exhibition was adopted that restricts nominated candidates from speaking at Public Forums and and does not permit discussion on procurement, legal or staff related matters..

The original version of this article said that the amendment also restricted an applicant from addressing Council on the same matter within a 12 month period, but this is not the case as that element of the motion was voted down.

Full details of the Code will be available on Council's website.