Prayers at Council Meetings

Dear Ashfield District Council,
Does the authority hold prayers or religious/philosophical observance at the start of council meetings?

Can you state which meetings or committees engage in this practice?

Is an external person or body invited to carry out this function? If this is the case, who makes the decision about who should be invited?

Over the last 12 months can you indicate which religions, belief, organisations’ or denominations these speakers have been representing?

Is the provision for prayers/observance set out in the council constitution and rules of procedure?

Are prayers regarded as an item of business and published as an agenda item and recorded in the minutes of the meeting?

Yours faithfully,

Rob Shorrock