The departmental council meets at the initiative of its chairman, at least once every three months, at a location in the department chosen by the standing committee.
In years when the general renewal of the departmental councils takes place, the first meeting is held as of right on the second Thursday following the first round of voting.
At the first meeting of the departmental council, immediately after the election of the president, vice-presidents and other members of the standing committee, the president reads out the charter for locally elected representatives provided for in article L. 1111-1-1. The president provides the departmental councillors with a copy of the charter for locally elected representatives and of chapter III of this title.