Public Hearings

Public hearings are advertised and generally held during the first meeting of the month beginning at 11:30 a.m. 

Members of the public have the opportunity to participate in public hearings during the livestream via the chat window. Questions can be submitted via email to council@newellmail.ca at least one day prior to the meeting. Here is more information on asking questions during the livestream > MPC/Council Livestream Q&A

Regular procedures for Public Hearings are as follows:

1. The Chairman calls hearing to order.
2. The Secretary states purpose of the public hearing (e.g. Land Use Amendment – SW 1-2-3-4 from Agricultural to Country Residential).
3. An Administrative staff member provides a summary of the matter to be heard.
4. The Chairman will state procedures which must be followed:
   1. Any individual wishing to speak must first be recognized by the Chair.
   2. Once recognized, they must state their name before beginning their presentation.
   3. All statements are directed to Council.
   4. Applicant will be given five (5) minutes to present their case.
   5. Anyone else speaking in favour are given three (3) minutes to make a presentation. Members of the public are allowed to speak only once except to answer questions from Council.
   6. Council may ask questions of the applicant or speakers in favour.
   7. Members of the public who are opposed are given three (3) minutes to present their case and provide a rebuttal to the presentation of the applicant and anyone else speaking in favour. Members of the public are allowed to speak only once except to answer questions from Council.
   8. Council may ask questions of the public again.
   9. The applicant is given three minutes for a rebuttal.
   10. The public hearing is adjourned. Council returns to regular Council Meeting and may make a decision regarding the hearing.