Under UK legislation, councils are required to publish agendas at least three clear days before a meeting and to make minutes available as soon as possible afterward. These documents ensure that residents, businesses, and stakeholders stay informed about local government decisions.
Publishing Agendas & Minutes Online
Our Council Websites package allows councils to publish agendas and minutes in both MS Word and PDF formats. While Word documents are editable, we strongly recommend publishing in PDF format to maintain document integrity and accessibility.
Accessibility Considerations
Councils must ensure their documents comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) to meet UK public sector accessibility regulations. This includes:
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Using accessibility-friendly PDFs
PDFs should be properly formatted with headings, alt text for images, and selectable text (not scanned images).
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Providing HTML alternatives
Publishing the content directly on web pages ensures screen readers can easily interpret the text, improving accessibility for all users.
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Ensuring proper contrast and font sizes
to make documents readable for users with visual impairments.
- Using accessibility-friendly PDFs: PDFs should be properly formatted with headings, alt text for images, and selectable text (not scanned images).
- Engage in the Democratic Process – Participate in consultations, attend public meetings, or contact their elected representatives
- Hold Councils Accountable – Ensure decisions are made in a fair and transparent manner
How This Page Works
Under the Local Government Act 1972, councils must provide public access to certain meeting documents. This includes:
- Use the dropdown menu to select a year
- Expand the accordions to view specific meeting agendas and minutes.
- Download or view documents as needed.
By following best practices for document publication and accessibility, councils can ensure that all residents have equal access to important local government information.