Have your say on proposed Governance Rules changes

Published on 17 August 2023

Residents are encouraged to have their say on proposed changes to Gannawarra Shire Council’s Governance Rules, with feedback accepted up to 5pm Wednesday, 30 August.

Originally adopted in August 2020 and reviewed in August 2022, Council’s Governance Rules provides for how Council Meetings and delegated committee meetings are conducted.

“Our Governance Rules are important as they outline how meetings are run, how the Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected, how Council handles Questions from the Public and petitions, and how Council operates during a local government election period,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“Additional improvements to the Governance Rules have been identified following the document’s last review in August 2022, which will provide for good governance practices in order to achieve the best outcomes for the community via the operation of Council meetings.”

Eight changes are proposed, relating to calling Unscheduled Meetings, consideration of Urgent Business, Tabling of Arbiters Decisions, Question Time guidelines and how a petition is processed.

“The proposed changes to Question Time guidelines, which would involve moving the deadline for receiving questions to no later than 5pm the day prior to the Council meeting and the person submitting the question having the option to ask their question verbally if they wish, will allow for improved community engagement,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Proposed changes to the petition process, which would require any petition or joint letter be received by Council no later than 12 noon 10 business days before the meeting at which the matter is to be considered, will ensure the item can be listed in the agenda and enables sufficient time for a report regarding the petition’s request to be prepared for Councillors to consider.”

Residents can have their say on the proposed changes to Council’s Governance Rules in the following ways:

“All feedback received before 30 August will assist with the development of the final version of Council’s Governance Rules, which will be presented to Council at its September 2023 meeting for consideration,” Mayor Gillingham said.