Rule changes to make Council meetings more flexible and accessible

Published on 09 March 2023

Meeting-procedure-governance-rule-2022.jpg

Council is reviewing its rules and procedures for Council Meetings, with the proposed changes allowing all future meetings to be conducted via hybrid or online methods.

Community members are now invited to provide feedback on the amended Governance Rule – Meeting Procedures.

Under section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020, all councils are required to adopt and maintain Governance Rules, which determine the rules for Council Meetings as well as provide guidance on other governance matters.

The rules also set out the order of business for council meetings, which includes the presence of an acknowledgement of country, Council’s good governance pledge and a prayer at the start of each meeting.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Victorian Government approved temporary changes to the legislation to allow Council meetings to take place online.

Since the expiry of this rule, all Victorian councils are required to review and update their governance rules.

This has provided the opportunity to review Nillumbik’s entire Governance Rule – Meeting Procedures and proposed changes include:

  • Rules for how Councillors can attend and participate at Council Meetings
  • Review of the Public Question Time and Notice of Motion provisions to provide greater clarity
  • Greater flexibility to enable members of the public to address Council Meetings
  • Changes to processes to support access, equity and inclusion.

Mayor Ben Ramcharan said the meeting procedures rule sets out how Council meetings are conducted and how Council makes decisions. 

“We are committed to improving the confidence community has in our decision making,” Cr Ramcharan said.

“Good governance at Council relies on Councillors, Council staff, the Nillumbik community and other stakeholders being clear about their role and responsibilities and supporting positive and constructive relationships with each other.”

Further information about the proposed changes is available at Participate Nillumbik.

Feedback closes 11.59pm Thursday 30 March 2023.

Tagged as:
Back to top