Darebin Governance Local Law Review 2020

At its meeting on 16 March 2020, Council endorsed the proposed new Local Law, which is known as "Meeting Governance Rules (Meeting Procedures and Common Seal) Local Law (No.1 of 2020)".

View the Local Law "Meeting Governance Rules (Meeting Procedures and Common Seal) Local Law (No. 1 of 2020)

The purpose of the new Local Law is to:

• regulate proceedings at Council meetings, Special Committee meetings and other meetings conducted by or on behalf of Council where Council has resolved that the provisions of the Local Law are to apply
• regulate the proceedings for the election of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor (if any)
• regulate the use of the common seal
• make provision for related administrative procedures
• provide for the peace, order and good government of the municipality.

The new Local Law was made under section 111(1) of the Act and will operate throughout the municipality.

Community Engagement Summary

The Local Government Act 1989 (the Act), requires councils to make a local law which governs the conduct of meetings of Council and Special Committees.

The Local Law 2017 was reviewed and updated to incorporate changes in legislation, to introduce improved processes and to reflect contemporary governance practices.

At its meeting on 16 December 2019, Council resolved to advertise its intention to make the new Governance Local Law (proposed new Local Law), which is now known as the "Meeting Governance Rules (Meeting Procedures and Common Seal) Local Law (No.1 of 2020)", and supersedes the Local Law (No.1 of 2017).

The previous Governance Local Law was reviewed with feedback received from internal and external engagement, including input from staff, community input from ‘drop-in sessions’ held during the early phases of the review and multiple Councillor Briefings across the review time frame.

Council invited the community to make a submission from January to February. Council then considered the submissions that were received. All submissions about the proposed new Local Law was considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989.