Changes in NSW may encourage more women to run for council. 

The NSW Government is set to scrap certain meeting practice policies as part of a plan to increase diversity including female representation in local government.

It has proposed changes that would see councillors with carer and work responsibilities be permitted to attend council meetings virtually, and have their carer costs covered.

The state also wants to fund a campaign to encourage more women to stand for election and roll out statewide candidate workshops.

Under the new plans, a council could permit a councillor to participate in council or committee meetings by audio-visual link if they cannot attend in person because of carer responsibilities, ill health, disability or natural disaster.

Virtual meeting attendance would also be permitted for individual councillors if they are absent from the local area due to a prior work commitment. 

Appropriate safeguards would be put in place to ensure councillors continue to live and work in their local area. 

The NSW Government is also looking at strengthening requirements for local councils to meet councillor carer costs. 

Under current guidelines, councils are strongly encouraged to meet the reasonable cost of councillor care arrangements including childcare expenses to allow them to undertake their civic duties 

The Government is now changing local government regulations to include specific provisions for councils to financially support councillors with carer responsibilities. 

A consultation paper on the use of remote meetings has been released to assist councils and other interested organisations and individuals to make submissions by May 3.