The City of Ryde will provide childcare for members of the public who are on Council advisory committees when meetings are held in a landmark step to encourage more parents to join the committees and broaden community representation.
The purpose of advisory committees is to allow local residents and relevant organisations participate in Council matters.
There are currently 16 advisory committees that meet on a quarterly basis each year such as the Status of Women Advisory Committee, the Arts Advisory Committee and the Macquarie Park Forum.
Cit y of Ryde Mayor, Clr Jerome Laxale, said the childcare provision would remove a common barrier to participation on advisory committee process and allow members to request the childcare service if needed.
"The City of Ryde has a strong track record of implementing p olicies that promote inclusion and allow all members of the community to contribute to the running of Council," Clr Laxale said.
"By providing childcare to members of our advisory committees when they are attending meetings, we are making it easier for pa rents and guardians in Ryde to participate in all aspects of the community.
"As an example, the Status of Women's advisory committee currently has very few young or single mothers as members. As the committee's charter is to provide advice on improving th e ways in which local women are able to participate in civic life, offering childcare to current and future committee members will enable greater community participation to make our City a better place to live."
Clr Penny Pedersen, who put forward the chi ldcare provision motion, said the move would improve the way parents and guardians in Ryde could contribute to the community.
"This will help ensure single and working parents from all walks of life and from all backgrounds will become a part of the advisory committee process and contribute to discussions that impact them," Clr Pedersen said.
A suitable community childcare provider will now be engaged by Council through an expression of interest process t o provide the childcare service.
A report re viewing the use of the childcare provision will be provided to Council 12 months after the new service commences.
