Tag: accountability

Upcoming Council Elections

Posted on by alex

Thank you to the many individuals and community organisations that have shared their time over the past seven years. It has been an absolute honour to represent the Loughnan’s HIll Ward and the Mullum Wards in the City of Maroondah.

We accomplished a lot over these years, including new investment in community infrastructure, a focus on public transport advocacy and a Council that responds to needs in the community. During my time as Mayor I reversed twelve years of budget deficits and improved the accountability of Councils by encouraging debate and discussion during Council meetings.

I was the first elected Councillor to regularly maintain a blog, documenting my Council activities and to engage communities through social media. I provided a range of contact options to ensure that constituents were able to easily make contact with an elected representative.

After seven years I will not be renominating at the upcoming Council elections. I would like to thank the many people who have offered support and encouragement for providing the opportunity to respond to their concerns.

We have a great seven years together but it now time for me to focus on my career and other pursuits. I like the people of Loughnan’s Hill Ward and the Mullum Ward for the opportunity to serve as their elected representative.

Conclusion of the 2010 Mayoral Year

Posted on by alex

This evening Maroondah City Council held its Statutory Meeting, whereby the Mayor is elected for the 2011 Council Year. While I have enjoyed the challenges experienced throughout this year I chose not to seek re-nomination as Mayor and Cr Tony Dib has been unanimously elected as Mayor for the oncoming Council year.

Maroondah is truly fortunate to have such a vibrant sense of community and I would like to thank the many community organisations and individuals that I have met throughout this year. While the volume of work undertaken as Mayor is immense it is also incredibly rewarding to meet the many people that are dedicated to their local community.

2010 has marked the year that Council delivered financial sustainability, ensuring that future Councils will be able to invest in community facilities and services. Maroondah City Council has finally reversed over 12 years of annual financial operating deficits to ensure that Council is able to meet future challenges. In addition, partnerships with neighbouring Councils have been strengthened and Maroondah is at the forefront of a newly formed alliance between the six Councils containing Central Activities Districts and the City of Melbourne.

Furthermore, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to Reconciliation through incorporating the Acknowledgement of Country at all Council events and Council meetings. Likewise, reforms to strengthen accountability and governance through encouraging debate and discussion were undertaken, including the rearrangement of the Council Chamber to ensure that Councillors are able to see members of the public present at Council meetings.

Council’s advocacy for an accessible, safe and integrated transit interchange for Ringwood proved successful and I congratulate the incoming State Government for their pledge to overhaul Ringwood Station.

Lastly, I would like to thank my colleagues for their support throughout this year, being Mayor is an incredible experience and I wish Cr Tony Dib all the best of success in the year ahead. I will be continuing as a Councillor for the Mullum Ward and I welcome feedback from residents and the community.

Media Release: Council encourages debate and interaction at Meetings

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At its meeting on Monday 21 June, Maroondah City Council resolved to change a Local Law ensuring future meetings are more interactive and engaging.

Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin said that Councillors collectively workshopped the changes over a period of time.

The proposed Local Law (Local Law 9) will replace the current Local Law 7 that regulates meeting procedures at Council Meetings.

“These changes will improve the opportunity for debate and demonstrate Council’s overwhelming support for open, accessible and accountable Local Government,” said Cr Makin.

“Maroondah City Council has always prided itself on listening to the community and these changes will make that even easier to do so by promoting debate and allowing Councillors to present displays and explanations on agenda items,” Cr Makin said.

“One of the most significant changes will be that residents will be able to hear Ward reports from their representative Councillors, ensuring they are across new developments or projects” said Cr Makin.

More information on the recommendation to the change to Local Law 7 can be found on the City of Maroondah website at www.maroondah.vic.gov.au or at Council Service Centres.

Council meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm on Monday 19 July at Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue Ringwood.

Maroondah City Council – Audit Advisory Committee

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The Maroondah City Council Audit Advisory Committee meets on a quarterly basis to oversee and provide advice on matters relating to accountability and internal controls within the Council.

The Committee comprises of two Council representatives, the Chief Executive Officer and two external members.  As the Mayor for the 2009-2010 Council Year, I am a member and Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee. Cr. Rob Steane is also a Councillor representative on this committee.