Minutes are the official written record of council meetings documenting what occurred, including motions considered, votes taken, decisions made, and sometimes key discussion points. Provincial legislation requires municipalities to keep meeting minutes as part of transparent governance. Minutes become the legal record of council actions and are typically approved at subsequent meetings. Municipal clerks prepare minutes following prescribed formats. Minutes are public documents that citizens can access to understand council decisions. Detailed minutes help establish the rationale for decisions if challenged later. Recording standards balance comprehensiveness with practicality, capturing essential actions without transcribing every word spoken.