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Media Release: Council working to implement Recommendations of Independent Review.

Posted on November 06, 2024

6 November 2024

Council working to implement recommendations of independent review 

Northern Midlands Council has resolved to accept and implement a number of recommendations of an independent review of the Council's governance and meeting procedures.

Northern Midland's Council Mayor Mary Knowles said today the review had found no major issues with governance but had recommended Council implement a range of measures to improve governance and relationships between elected members and with staff.

“The independent review also recommended that, at this stage, the report not be released publicly to allow Council time to work through their implementation and we have resolved to accept that approach,” Mayor Knowles said.

At a Special Council Meeting held on 4 June 2024, the Northern Midlands Council resolved to authorise the Mayor to liaise with the  Acting Director of Local Government to appoint an Independent Advisor to objectively review Council’s governance and meeting procedures.  

The terms of reference for the scope of the review included a requirement to: observe and review the conduct of Northern Midlands Council meetings since December 2023 and any other meetings raised by Councillors and Staff in the term of this Council; attend at least one ordinary Council meeting; offer to interview all Councillors and the Council’s Senior Executive and relevant staff; determine that all Councillors are clear on their responsibilities concerning the declaration of interest associated with matters on council meeting agendas and questions on notice; ensure that any communication in future between councillors and council employees is professional and uses appropriate language; conduct a review of the Council governance in the context of compliance with statutory obligations, with a particular focus on Council meeting procedures, Council’s understanding of the appropriate separation of strategic and operational matters, provision of information to councillors and internal processes in place to manage and resolve queries concerning Council governance.

Consequent to the meeting, the Acting Director of Local Government, Mr Michael Mogridge, and the Mayor determined to appoint  Mr Andrew Paul to conduct the review and to provide, to both Council and the Director of Local Government, a report with any relevant findings and recommendations at the conclusion of the independent review.

Council received Mr Paul’s report at the 21 October 2024 Council meeting, in closed council, and is now working through the recommendations which cover a range of matters, including general governance, meeting procedures, workplace culture and work health and safety. 

It is expected that the implementation of recommendations arising from the review will occur over an extended period of time.  

Mayor Knowles said that it was encouraging that Mr Paul made note in his report of the Northern Midlands Council’s sound financial position, the strong portfolio of community assets and infrastructure, the significant growth opportunities and the generally bright future of the Northern Midlands Council.

 

For further information, please contact Mayor Mary Knowles OAM on 0408 766 625.