Council Meeting Governance Rules

All Councils are required to have a set of rules that govern how Council Meetings and Delegated Committee Meetings are conducted.

Kingston is reviewing its Governance Rules to:

• Keep up-to-date with online meeting options that were introduced during the COVID pandemic
• Meet new requirements under the new Local Government Act 2020.
• Increase opportunities for community participation in Council Meetings

We have done an initial review of the Governance Rules to propose some changes but are also seeking community input. Council is required to update the Governance Rules by 2 September 2022.

Some of the key proposed changes include:

• Rules for how Councillors can attend and participate at Council Meetings and Delegated Committee meetings by electronic means of communication, as required under the 2020 Local Government Act
• Increasing the amount of time for community members/visitors to speak at Council Meetings/Delegated Committee meetings from 3 minutes to 4 minutes.
• Allowing multiple objectors & applicants to speak to one planning item at Planning Committee/Council meetings (Currently only one objector and one applicant is allowed to speak)
• Requiring petitions and joint letters to be lodged seven (7) days prior to a Council Meeting
• Allowing the Chair of a Council Meeting to not accept a Councillor's Notice of Motion if it is:
  • vague or unclear in intention
  • outside of the legislative powers of Council
  • if passed would result in Council otherwise acting invalidly
  • submitted during the Election Period.

You can read the proposed new Governance Rules in the Document Library on this page.

A copy of the current rules are also available.

How will your feedback be used?

All feedback will be presented to Councillors to inform their decision making on the amended Governance Rules.

Have your say:

• Take part in our online survey via the link below
• Or make a submission by emailing governance@kingston, mailing PO Box 1000 Mentone or phoning 1300 653 356.

Feedback was invited on the Governance Rules until Wednesday 27 July

Council is now considering your feedback before finalising its Governance Rules.