Terms of Reference for Glenelg Shire Council monitors

Published on 08 November 2023

Glenelg Shire Council has received further details from the Victorian Government of the recent announcement of the appointment of Municipal Monitors to Council.

The Monitors have been appointed from 13 November to 13 February inclusive, and their Terms of Reference will include:

1. To monitor Council’s governance functioning, with specific regard to the key areas of concern identified in the correspondence from the Mayor including the Council’s actions and processes in relation to the appointment of an Acting or interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to fill the position caused by the recent resignation of the Council’s CEO; the Council’s policies and processes in relation to the appointment of an ongoing CEO, including the Council’s CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee; Councillor understanding and performance of their statutory roles and responsibilities, including in relation to confidentiality requirements; the relationships between Councillors and between Councillors and Council staff, including Councillor behaviour with respect to the Councillor Code of Conduct and processes for resolving disputes between Councillors; Council’s meeting procedures and decision-making processes, including Council briefings and meetings, the adequacy of the Council’s Governance Rules and Councillor adherence to the Governance Rules; Council’s processes and practices in relation to health and safety including any matters that may be creating a serious risk to the health and safety of Councillors, Council staff or other persons; and any other matters that may be affecting Council’s ability to effectively perform.

2. To advise, and provide any relevant assistance and support to, Council in relation to the improvement of Council’s governance processes and practices, with specific regard to the matters raised above.

3. To report to the Minister for Local Government, with respect to those matters on any steps or actions taken by Council to improve its governance and the effectiveness of those steps or actions; any recommendations for Council to ensure the proper performance of its statutory role, including in relation to the conduct of Councillors and; any recommendations in relation to the exercise of any Ministerial power under the Act.

Glenelg Shire Council will provide another update when the names of the monitors are released, but will not be providing any further comment in relation to this matter.