New committee structure will improve outcomes

The introduction of a new committee structure will enhance Council’s ability to effectively and efficiently deal with decisions relating to specific areas and activities.

Four portfolio-based Standing Committees were adopted at today’s Council meeting, with membership reflecting the interest and expertise of Councillors.

The committees are:

The Planning and Environment Committee, chaired by Cr Terry James with Mayor Bob Manning as deputy chair, has decision making capacity as it has full Councillor membership.

The remaining three committees, which all include the Mayor as an executive member, can only make recommendations to be considered at the next Ordinary meeting.

Cr Max O’Halloran has been appointed chair of the Community, Sport, Events and Cultural Services Committee, with Cr Cathy Zeiger the deputy chair and Councillors James, Rob Pyne, and Amy Eden as members.

The Governance and Economics Committee will be chaired by Cr Rhonda Coghlan, Brett Moller is the deputy chair, and Councillors Pyne and Kristy Valley are members.

The Works Committee will be chaired by Cr Moller, Cr Brett Olds is the deputy chair, with Councillors James, Eden and Valley members.

During the last term of Council there were six Standing Committees, before they were dissolved in August 2018.

It is expected the new streamlined structure, will allowed elected representatives to strengthen their focus on specific areas and be better involved in the decision making process.

Council will also restructure its monthly meeting schedule. At present, Council has two Ordinary meetings each month; one of these will now be replaced by the Planning and Environment Committee meeting, which will be held on the second Wednesday of each month and be followed by all other Committee meetings.

The Ordinary meeting will be held on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

The new schedule and committee structure will start next month.