Community council fails to publish agenda before important meeting

Question

What are the consequences of not publishing the agenda of an upcoming extraordinary meeting on an issue that has a wider community interest?  Members of the community were not aware of the meeting, but would have attended had they been aware.  Are the decisions taken at that meeting valid?  The requirement is to make the Agenda available at least three full days before the meeting.  It was actually published 4 days after.

Answer 1

As you have used the term "community council" I am assuming you are referring to a council that is based in Wales.  Rules for Welsh councils are slightly different from England and I am less familiar with the Welsh requirements but a couple of things immediately spring to mind.  Firstly, not being aware of a meeting and details not being published might be different things.  I believe community councils are required to publish details of meetings both electronically and "in a conspicuous place within the parish".  Are you saying both notices were absent?  As a general principal in England at least, a defect in the notice of a meeting does not necessarily render decision taken at that meeting invalid.  So, for example, in England if the council's website fails or perhaps the notice of meeting can't be posted on the notice boards because of flooding then the meeting is still valid, albeit it is a situation which is not ideal.