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MONITORS AT BRIMBANK CL. ■ Municipal monitors will work with Brimbank City Council to help the council better understand its role, improve its performance, and serve the best interests of the community. Melissa Horne, Minister for Local Government, announced Janet Dore and Penelope Holloway have been appointed as monitors to the council from February 12 to December 31. The monitors will provide a report to the Minister at the end of their term. Ms Dore brings wide experience and expertise to the role, having previously served as municipal monitor for Strathbogie, Wodonga and Ararat councils. Ms Holloway will draw on her previous experience as Acting CEO for the Office of Local Government NSW and her current role as Board Director for the Victorian Planning Authority. The terms of reference for the monitors direct them to advise and provide any relevant assistance and support to the council in relation to the improvement of the council’s governance processes and practices. This includes confidentiality requirements, management of conflicts of interest, relationships between councillors and between councillors and council staff, meeting procedures, decision-making processes, and the adequacy of governance rules. The State Government is supporting and improving council accountability, governance and culture across the state through reforms to the Local Government Act 2020. Legislation to be introduced this year will elevate governance and integrity standards in the state’s 79 councils, encouraging quality candidates to put themselves forward at elections to be held statewide in October. Reforms will introduce mandatory training
● Last week’s Local Paper with news of a second monitor at the City of Moonee Valley. for elected representatives, a uniform councillor code of conduct and strengthened powers for the Minister to address councillor conduct. The terms of reference for the Brimbank City Council monitors are available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/independent-reports "The purpose of local government is to serve its community, and the appointment of municipal monitors at Brimbank City Council will help resolve ongoing issues at the council,” said Ms Horne. "Governance issues must be addressed, and the monitors will help identify what is needed to ensure Brimbank City Council can best represent its ratepayers." “Municipal monitors have proven to be effective at guiding councils to make improvements in governance that help them better serve their communities.”
Maribyrnong addresses the harm from alcohol ■ Maribyrnong Council says it is committed to doing its part to help reduce the harm in our community. “While local government does not often provide services for managing drug and alcohol issues, Council can influence the level of alcohol and other drug-related harm in our community through various minimisation activities in partnership with Federal and State Governments, community, businesses and festival organisation,” said a Council representative. Mayor, Cr Cuc Lam, said the draft Reducing Harm from Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy 2023-2028 lists a number of advocacy opportunities, including the development of alcohol and other drug alternative programs and activities,
● Cr Lam Cuc, Maribyrnong Mayor
particularly for at-risk groups in our community. “The draft Policy calls for Council to work with community health organisations to promote local alcohol and other drug harm minimisation programs, and to continue supporting research and providing data about prevention, harms, services and programs. “This encapsulates the vision for the draft Policy, which identifies advocacy, partnerships and research as the three guiding principles for consideration by the community and stakeholders,” Cr Lam said. The updated draft Policy, now available for feedback, has been informed by contemporary and best practice frameworks.
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