Tag: meeting procedures

Media Release: Change to local law encourages debate and interaction at Meetings

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To ensure that Council meetings are more interactive and engaging, Maroondah City Council has formally adopted a change to a Local Law at its meeting on Monday 16 August.

Local Law 9 will now replace Local Law 7 that regulates meeting procedures at Council Meetings.

“The changes demonstrate Council’s overwhelming support for accessible and accountable Local Government, and will permit the community to hear and see more than ever before,” said Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Alex Makin

“An example of some of the changes includes the opportunity for the public to hear Council presentations to further explain agenda items. Councillors will also present Ward reports to keep the community up to date with new developments and projects,” said Cr Makin.

The proposed amendment had been on public exhibition at Braeside Avenue as well as at Council Service Centres and on the website, and the public was encouraged to make submissions.

The submissions received all had the same theme -the addition of Acknowledgement of Country to the Order of Business for Council meetings.

“Following the public submissions, Council is proud to incorporate an Acknowledgement of Country as part of the Order of Business at both Ordinary and special meetings of Council,” Cr Makin said.

The Acknowledgement of Country forms part of Council’s Reconciliation Policy Statement which reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation and the desire to build strong partnerships with the local Indigenous community.

“Another significant change to meeting procedures is that Question Time can be extended by an additional 10 minutes if required to complement the aim of increased participation and interaction from the community,” said Cr Makin.

As well as changes to process, the Council Chamber has also experienced a change to layout.

“New ramp access will improve accessibility to the chamber floor. Plus, the change to the seating arrangements means that Councillors will no longer sit with their backs to the public gallery, thereby promoting a feeling of inclusiveness,” Cr Makin said.

Council meets on the third Monday of each month and meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates may change if the meeting falls on a public holiday. Council is generally in recess in January.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7.30pm on Monday 20 September at Council Chambers, Braeside Avenue Ringwood.

Media Release: Council encourages debate and interaction at Meetings

Posted on by alex

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.

VLGA Essential Mayor’s Weekend

Posted on by alex

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is a peak body that represents councillors across Victoria. Maroondah has been a member of the VLGA since 2008 and as such is able to utilise the organisation for advocacy, as well as training and support.

This weekend the VLGA held its Essential Mayor’s Weekend, which provides a training program for current Mayors across Victoria. Sessions covered governance, meeting procedures and advocacy to help ensure a successful year as Mayor.

Both Richard Wynne, the Minister for Local Government and Jeanette Powell, the Shadow Minister for Local Government, addressed the attendees and provided their perspectives on local government. It was encouraging to hear both of them discuss the importance of local government and it is imperative that there are genuine partnerships between all levels of government so that we deliver positive outcomes for our communities.

The Essential Mayor’s Weekend was informative and provided an opportunity to meet the Mayors of other municipalities. Collaboration across councils will strengthen the advocacy voice of local government and deliver results for our communities.

As an example, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Frankston each have similar issues in regard to the need for the redevelopment of major transport hubs (Ringwood, Box Hill and Frankston Stations) and working together will assist in demonstrating the importance of these projects across the eastern region.