COUNCIL meetings may never be the same at Bass Coast Shire after the adoption of new governance rules which will allow letter writers to read their own letters in the Council Chambers if they wish.

If the letter writer is not present the question may be read out by the Mayor as Chair.

An initial proposal contained in draft governance rules would have compelled anyone submitting a question to Bass Coast Council to be present at the Council Chambers.

Public question time was the community’s opportunity to hold council to account according to Cr Ron Bauer who saw no need to distance council from the gallery.

Cr Bauer explained that rather than a person just submitting a question and having it read by the Chair and answered by the CEO they would have the ability to stand up and read the question out and have it answered.

If the letter writer is not in the gallery the question can be read by the Mayor.

Supporting the change Cr Mat Morgan said the community feedback was quite interesting and he could sympathise with the concerns from people about not having their questions read out in the Council Chamber.

“I hope this is taken as message read that not only will we keep public question time but if people are in the room they’ll be welcome to ask their question.”

Cr Morgan said inevitably it was going to be a tough job at times to chair the meetings.

“A hat tip to the Mayor for being willing to do this.”

Cr Bauer also asked for the time given to a councillor to move a motion be extended to five minutes, so councillors didn’t have to speak at the rate of a machinegun.

Under the amended governance rules speakers must abide by the direction of the Chair and may not raise additional questions or alter previously submitted question.