Calling a meeting ..... 3 clear days notice or convened at shorter notice be explained please

Question

Can the difference between 3 clear days notice [Local Government Act 1972, sch.12(10)(2)] & unless the meeting is convened at shorter notice [Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, s1(4)(a)]  be explained please. This has confused me.

Answer 1

An interesting question!  I suspect that the answer lies in the fact that the Public Bodies legislation applies to all tiers of local government and countless other public bodies, whereas the LGA reference is specific to parish and town councils.  Higher authorities have emergency powers that are not necessary in local councils, so there is no legitimate reason to call a meeting at shorter notice.  There is a shorter notice provision in the model standing orders for committees of local councils, but this relates to the provisions elsewhere in the model for councils to determine public access and notice requirements for their committees.

Answer 2

It is all about keeping the community informed of what may be decided at the meeting so they can decide if/how they want to engage. Run it short and Councillors risk having to take personal liability for a decision improperly made. Three clear days notice is the accepted standard to avoid that challenge.

Answer 3

Local Government Act 1972, sch.12(10)(2) only applies to council meetings, not committee or sub-committee meetings, whereas the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, s1(4)(a) applies to council, committee and sub-committee meetings.