By Corey Everitt
The council has proposed significant changes to their governance rules to address the findings which emerged from investigation into corruption in Casey Council and on matters of public transparency.
Twenty-seven changes to the Cardinia Shire’s Governance rule were considered and supported by councillors in the latest Council Meeting on Monday 15 April.
In addition to the changes needed to prepare for October’s council election, the key themes were increasing public transparency, increasing the efficiency of the governing process and recommendation from Operation Sandon.
Names of all councillors and how they vote must be always lodged within the minutes, previously this is only recorded if a division is called. This is in response to recommendations from Operation Sandon. Additionally, more details will have to be stated by councillors when a conflict of interest is declared.
The process of developing and publishing meetings agendas will be beefed up in an attempt to increase transparency.
Notice of Motion and Rescission Motions will have to be submitted two weeks before a meeting rather than the current two day notice, so that they can be incorporated into the agenda published six days prior.
Councillors will receive the agenda 10 days prior to any meeting, rather than the current two day minimum.
In the name of improved process as well, the changes include allowing the CEO to reject motions in ‘certain circumstances’ in consultation with the Mayor.
The council will also make changes to community questions. Question time will be brought forward in the agenda, ‘greater clarity’ will be provided around what questions can or cannot be accepted and more details will be provided to eliminate commentary or preambles from questions.
There will also be a new clause to give ‘greater control’ over public participation in meetings if ‘disruption occurs’.
Cr Radford moved the motion and Cr Davies seconded.
Cr Davies said these changes can have a significant impact in increasing better connection and trust with the community.
“The community consultation indicates as such that public trust in council has increased, you would notice that there are a lot of differences in the way meetings are ran than they were four years ago by the prior council,” Cr Davies said.
That’s included major changes in the way our meetings are run, but also in our code of conduct.
“Councillors have a lot of power, but that power comes with a lot of responsibility to each and every voter.”
The amendments were carried unanimously and will go to community consultation where any changes will be presented in a final report in the June Council Meeting.
