FAQs
- Expend money on behalf of Council;
- Commit the Council to any arrangement;
- Consider any matter outside its specific reference;
- Direct Council employees in the performance of their duties; or
- Represent the Council in any communication with the public or media.
How often does the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel meet?
Members are required to meet a minimum of 2 times per year, with additional meetings anticipated in the consultation period leading up to the review and adoption of the 2025 – 2029 Disability Action and Inclusion Plan.
Will I be paid for being an Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel Member?
Independent Members are paid a sitting fee for participating in each official Advisory Panel meeting they attend. These are for a maximum of 2 hours.
The sitting fee is intended to compensate Independent Members for their time and contribute to out-of-pocket expenses incurred by attending Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel meetings, such as payment for a personal support worker, transport expenses, etc.
It is expected that Organisational Members will be supported by their organisation to attend the Advisory Panel meeting. Therefore, Organisational Members are not paid a sitting fee by Council.
Do I have to attend meetings in person?
Whilst it is preferable all Members of the Advisory Panel attend each official meeting in person, Members may participate by electronic means if approved by the Chair no less than 3 clear days prior to the meeting.
Occasionally official meetings will be conducted entirely via electronic means. In this case, a Council staff member will notify all Advisory Panel Members of the electronic arrangement.
What decision-making power does the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel have?
The Advisory Panel is only an advisory body to the District Council of Grant. The Advisory Panel is not an executive body and does not have the authority to:
The Advisory Panel will provide activity or project recommendations to Council for consideration of the above and final endorsement.
Where are recommendations by the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel reported?
Activities and considerations of the Advisory Panel are reported to the District Council of Grant Elected Members at the next monthly Ordinary Council Meeting following each official Advisory Panel meeting.
The Advisory Panel's key activities and actions will also be reported annually in the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan report.