Updating our Governance Rules

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This project is complete.

We're updating our Governance Rules, including our Election Period Policy, in preparation for the 26 October local government elections.

These changes will ensure that both Council officers and Councillors:

  • comply with their requirements under the Local Government Act
  • undertake decision-making in the best interests of the Manningham community.

What are these documents?

Our Governance Rules set out the processes and procedures for:

  • Council decision-making
  • Council meetings
  • Petitions to Council
  • How members of the public can ask questions at Council meetings.

Our Election Period Policy provides guidance to Council officers and Councillors in the lead-up to and during the election

We're updating our Governance Rules, including our Election Period Policy, in preparation for the 26 October local government elections.

These changes will ensure that both Council officers and Councillors:

  • comply with their requirements under the Local Government Act
  • undertake decision-making in the best interests of the Manningham community.

What are these documents?

Our Governance Rules set out the processes and procedures for:

  • Council decision-making
  • Council meetings
  • Petitions to Council
  • How members of the public can ask questions at Council meetings.

Our Election Period Policy provides guidance to Council officers and Councillors in the lead-up to and during the election period.

What are the key changes?

  • Replace the ‘Opening prayer, Acknowledgement of Country and Statement of Diverse Backgrounds and Cultures’ with ‘Welcome’ under ‘Order of Business’.
  • Change the number of Councillors required to move a Notice of Motion from one (1) Councillor to two (2) Councillors.
  • Empower the Chair to disallow a question during Public Question Time, if the question differs to the written question submitted before the Council meeting.
  • Increase the number of signatories of a petition from one signatory to five written, or 10 online signatories.
  • Include a formal commitment to providing a written response to the lead petitioner for any petition tabled at a Council meeting. Include a recommendation that this written response be presented at the next Council meeting.

The draft Governance Rules have been prepared in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

If you have any questions about this project, contact us by calling 9840 9333 or emailing manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au

This project is complete.

  • Council endorses Governance Rules

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    At the Council meeting on Tuesday 23 July 2024, Council formally endorsed our new Governance Rules, including the Election Period Policy. We would like to thank all those who engaged with our public consultation process and provided feedback on the proposed changes.

    The Governance Rules can accessed via Council's website, under the 'Policies' section - https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/about-council/policies

  • Consultation outcomes and next steps

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    We received one anonymous submission during our consultation from June 5 to July 1, 2024.

    The submission supported some changes but expressed concern about unofficiating the prayer due to its traditions.

    Given the minimal feedback received on the proposed Governance Rules and the only response being anonymous, we will not make any amendments to the current draft document before proceeding to Council for endorsement.

    We plan to present the Governance Rules for final endorsement and adoption at the Council meeting on 23 July 2024.

  • Our consultation has closed

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    Our consultation concluded at 5.00pm on Monday 1 July 2024.

    We're now reviewing the feedback we received and will report back to you soon on the consultation outcomes.

    The final Governance Rules and Election Period Policy will be presented to Council for endorsement at the Council meeting on 23 July 2024(External link).

  • Have your say on the proposed changes

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    We're seeking community feedback on the proposed updates to the Governance Rules, including the Election Period Policy.

    You can provide feedback by completing our survey by 5.00pm on 1 July 2024.

    What are the changes?

    A summary of the key changes:

    • Replace the ‘Opening prayer, Acknowledgement of Country and Statement of Diverse Backgrounds and Cultures’ with ‘Welcome’ under ‘Order of Business’.
    • Change the number of Councillors required to move a Notice of Motion from one (1) Councillor to two (2) Councillors.
    • Empower the Chair to disallow a question during Public Question Time, if the question differs to the written question submitted before the Council meeting.
    • Increase the number of signatories of a petition from one signatory to five written, or 10 online signatories.
    • Include a formal commitment to providing a written response to the lead petitioner for any petition tabled at a Council meeting. Include a recommendation that this written response be presented at the next Council meeting.