Amendment to Governance Rules
Amendment to Governance Rules – Virtual Meetings
Council proposed to amend its Governance Rules (The previous rules with track changes: Governance Rules(PDF, 2MB)) so that it can conduct virtual meetings on a permanent basis and provide for Councillors to attend and be present at meetings by electronic means of communication.
The previous arrangements for Councils to conduct virtual meetings in response to COVID-19 ceased on 2 September 2022 and new provisions in the Local Government Act 2020 required all Victorian Councils to amend their Governance Rules in respect of the conduct of Council meetings to make this happen.
Council proposed the following changes:
- Provisions to allow for virtual meetings
- Provisions to allow for the acceptance of electronic petitions, joint letters and memorials
- Reflect the repeal of certain provisions in the Local Government Act 1989
- Adopting a more gender neutral language, and
- Other minor administrative changes
Submissions closed on Monday, 15 August 2022.
At the Council Meeting on 22 August 2022 the Governance Rules and submissions were considered. Following consideration of the submission received, the subsequent change was made:
Division 9 Petitions and Joint Letters s.55.8
To include the address of person/s signing an electronic petition.
With this change the governance rules were adopted by Council at this meeting.
The new governance rules are available to download: Governance Rules Adopted 22 August 2022
Should you require further information please contact the Director Corporate Services on 03 5382 9777.
SUNIL BHALLA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER