Presentation of Draft copy of minutes

Question

Up until recently our Parish Council all ways put the Draft copy of minutes onto their web site,and notice board prior to the following meeting, I found this to be extremely useful because it gives the public a chance to read them through and raise questions at the following meeting.  Following a recent dispute it appears that our Parish Council has decided they will no longer publish a draft copy but wait until the minutes have been accepted.  i.e. any issue need to be raised by the public in the Febuary minutes, (published in April) cannot be raised until June, by which time it could be too late to do any thing relating to something that could be urgent.

 

Your views on this would be appreciated.

Thank you

Answer 1

My personal view is that councils should make minutes available as early as possible.  Although minutes can be amended at the following meeting, prior to signature, it is normal for the press to comment immediately on decisions made.  Likewise, action is often taken on decisions prior to the minutes being confirmed.

It therefore seems best that the council's own record of decisions should be made public without delay.

It is prudent to advise people that minutes are subject to amendment and do not achieve their full legal status until signed.  But it seems most practical that they should be published promptly.