24 March 2026 Corporate Policy and Resources Committee

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee

1. Apologies

2. Declarations of Interest

3. Minutes of the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee Meeting held Tuesday 24 February 2026 (summary

attached)

4. Notes of Women’s Working Group meeting held on 24 February 2026 (copy attached)

5. Minutes of the Commemoration and Celebration Sub Committee Meeting held Wednesday 4 March 2026 (Minutes attached)

6. Corporate Services Management Accounts P10 (report attached)

7. Update on Progress - Causeway Coast and Glens Community Plan (report attached)

8. Final Draft Council Plan (report to follow)

9. Performance Improvement Policy Review (report attached)

10. Consultations

11. Conferences (report attached)

12. Correspondence

13. Matters for Reporting to the Partnership Panel

FOR CONFIDENTIAL CONSIDERATION (Items 14 to 16)

14. Minutes of the Land and Property Sub-Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 4 March 2026 (copy attached)

15. Minutes of the Organisation Review Sub-Committee Meeting held on Thursday 19 February 2026 (copy attached)

16. Tender for Supply of Temporary Workers (report attached)

17. Any Other Relevant Business (notified in accordance with Standing Order

12(o))

Councillor Wilson

1. Public Accessibility of Council Meetings Online

I wish to seek clarification from officers regarding the current arrangements for members of the public to view Council meetings online.

While Council meetings are available to view remotely, the current system requires members of the public to submit a request in advance in order to access the meeting. I believe this requirement creates an unnecessary barrier to public engagement and limits the transparency that residents should reasonably expect from their Council.

Openness and transparency are fundamental principles of good governance and are vital to the health of local democracy. Council meetings should be readily accessible to all members of the public without the need to apply or seek permission in advance. Providing unrestricted online access would allow residents who are unable to attend in person — due to work commitments, caring responsibilities, mobility issues, or other personal circumstances — to observe the decision-making process in real time.

Removing the requirement to request access would represent a simple but meaningful step toward improving transparency, strengthening accountability, and encouraging greater public engagement with the work of the Council.

In light of this, I ask:

1. Why is it currently necessary for members of the public to submit a request in advance in order to view Council meetings online?

2. What barriers, if any, exist to making Council meetings openly accessible online without prior application?

3. Will officers bring forward proposals to remove this requirement and ensure that all Council meetings can be accessed online by the public without restriction?

4. Can a timeframe be provided for when unrestricted online access to Council meetings will be implemented?

It is important that we remove unnecessary obstacles to public participation and ensure that our residents can easily observe the democratic processes that affect their communities.

Councillor Wilson

(2) Council Staff Who Serve in the Emergency Services

Clarification is sought from officers on the Council’s current policy regarding members of staff who also serve or volunteer with the emergency services.

In particular, could officers outline:

• What provisions currently exist for Council employees who are also members of the emergency services to leave Council duties when responding to an emergency call.
• How such circumstances are treated in terms of pay and leave.
• Whether staff are permitted to make up any time lost from Council duties due to responding to an emergency.
• Where a member of staff is driving a Council vehicle at the time of being called to an emergency, whether they may utilise that vehicle to travel directly to their relevant emergency service depot.

This information would assist Members in understanding the Council’s approach to supporting staff who provide vital service to the community through their involvement in the emergency services.

In raising this matter, I would also like to place on record our appreciation for all those who volunteer or serve within our emergency services. Their dedication and commitment play a crucial role in protecting our communities and keeping people safe. As a Council, we should do all within our power to ensure that no unnecessary barriers are placed in the way of staff who carry out what is often life-saving work.