Golden Plains Shire Council is proposing changes to its Governance Rules, with community members welcome to make submissions on the changes until Wednesday 22 March 2023.
Council is calling on the community to provide feedback on its proposed changes to its Governance Rules, which were endorsed for public exhibition at its February 2023 meeting.
Under the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act) councils must have clear, instructive, and transparent Governance Rules. The Act aims to strengthen democracy, accountability and equity in local government, delivering a higher degree of transparency and integrity for the public.
Council adopted its existing Governance Rules on 23 August 2022. Council is proposing several changes to the existing rules including revised wording to improve the clarity of processes, including Mayoral elections and Public Question Time, and to make it easier for Councillors to attend Council meetings virtually.
The proposed changes to the Governance Rules will be placed on public exhibition from Wednesday 1 March 2023 to Wednesday 22 March 2023 to allow for community feedback on the amendments. Submissions will be considered by Council at its next scheduled Council meeting.
A summary of the proposed changes to the Governance Rules is available online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations or at Council’s Customer Hubs at 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
Feedback is invited in writing and needs to be received by 9am, Wednesday 22 March 2023:
- online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations;
- by email to [email protected]; or
- addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Golden Plains Shire Council, PO Box 111, Bannockburn, VIC 3331.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham encourages community members to review the proposed changes and provide their feedback.
The proposed changes to the existing Governance Rules will provide the opportunity to refine and enhance existing processes around Mayoral Elections, Public Question Time and providing options for delivering a hybrid approach to attending Council meetings.
As Councillors, we’re committed to encouraging public participation at Council meetings, and we want to hear from residents on these changes. Anyone can make a submission before 22 March 2023 online at Council’s website, by email or by post.
Following the public exhibition process and hearing of submissions, Council will consider any changes before adopting the new Governance Rules at its March meeting. For more information visit goldenplains.vic.gov.au or email [email protected].