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Council Updates Meeting Procedure Local Law

Council reviews Meeting Procedure Local Law.

By Portal Admin - 10th April 2018 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council has reviewed its Meeting Procedure Local Law.

At their March Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to place the draft Meeting Procedure Local Law on public exhibition for four weeks and seek submissions and feedback.

The Meeting Procedure Local Law is the main instrument for Council regarding the conduct of Meetings. It deals with the election of Mayor and meeting procedures for all Council Meetings and Committee Meetings.

Council’s current Meeting Procedure Local Law was adopted by Council in 2009. Since this time, there have been a number of amendments to the Local Government Act 1989 that have required a review of our existing Local Law.

This revised draft Meeting Procedure Local Law has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1989 and with reference to best practice guidance.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, explained that although the topic of meeting procedures may be a dry subject to discuss and consider, it is nevertheless important that the community has an opportunity to review the proposed changes.

"The Meeting Procedure Local Law provides guidance on how Councillors, officers and community members attending Council Meetings behave and interact at a Council Meeting," Cr Rothfield said.

"This proposed Local Law has been reviewed in consultation with Councillors, Council staff and Council’s legal advisors to ensure it is up to date with relevant legislation and clarifies any areas that may have been difficult to interpret previously.

"I confess the subject matter is a little dry for most of us, but I encourage those in the community who have an interest in how Council Meetings are run to spend some time reviewing the changes and amendments proposed and provide us with any feedback before we consider the Local Law for adoption."

A ‘Community Impact Statement’ listing the changes will accompany the Local Law for public consultation purposes and as part of the consultation process.

Council invites submissions from the community under Section 223 of the Act. Submissions must be received by 5.00pm on 24 April 2018 and be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi VIC 3995. If a person wishes to be heard in support of their submission, they can appear in person before a meeting of the Council to be held on Wednesday, 2 May 2018 at 5.00pm in Wonthaggi.

Copies of the draft Meeting Procedure Local Law will be available from Council’s Customer Service Centres and on Council’s website www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/consultation

It is expected that the final Meeting Procedure Local Law will be presented to Council for adoption at the Ordinary Council Meeting in May 2018.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com