Background

The Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2022 (the Reform Act) introduces reforms into the Local Government Act 2020 relating to electronic attendance at Council Meetings. The new provisions take effect on 2 September 2022.

The Reform Act requires Councils to develop, adopt and keep in force Governance Rules relating to:

• the conduct of Council (and delegated committee) meetings held by electronic means; and
• requesting and approving Council meeting attendance by electronic means.

The Reform Act also introduces new provisions which insert a definition of what “open to the public” means, in the case of a Council or joint Council meeting, attendance in person by a member of the public, or a meeting that is broadcasted live on the Council internet site.

Council is also taking this opportunity to consider other amendments to its Governance Rules which are not required by legislation.

The proposed Governance Rules

The amendments proposed to Council’s Governance Rules are detailed in a Council Report, which was considered by Council at its meeting held on 25 July 2022. Council recommended placing the draft Governance Rules out for public exhibition.

How to participate

Council invited residents to make submissions on the amendments proposed to Council’s Governance Rules by close of business Monday 8 August 2022. They could make a submission:

	online submission form
	emailing the Governance Team
	posting to the Chief Executive Officer, Hume City Council, PO Box 119 Dallas, VIC 3047