It is a surprise to be back in the position of mayor again following the resignation of the previous mayor, Stefanie Perri, to contest the coming federal election.
I want to thank Stefanie for her service to Council. She is one of the best councillors I have had the pleasure to serve with and she will be keenly missed. A lifelong resident of Clayton, Stefanie brought a freshness of perspective, a steely determination and an impressive capacity to get things done during her two terms as a councillor.
Having been mayor three time previously, this position was not something I had any plans or particular desire to do again. But in the circumstances of this vacancy occurring unexpectedly amidst a worrying decline in behaviour at recent Council meetings, it was important that someone with past experience take it on.
Indeed, ensuring the orderly, respectful and efficient transaction of Council business will be my main focus over the few short months that I will occupy the role.
Unfortunately, this has become a challenge in recent times because of an increasingly disruptive approach adopted by a small number of people at Council meetings.
There will be some immediate changes to how Council meetings are conducted. The following will have no place in the Council chamber from this point forward:
- Disorderly conduct from either councillors or members of the public gallery;
- Ignoring Council’s meeting procedures;
- Personal attacks on others; or
- Council meetings finishing very late.
At the next meeting I will seek the support of all councillors to strengthen the Councillor Code of Conduct to set clear standards of behaviour against which each councillor will be held accountable. I will also be proposing new measures to ensure the efficient conduct of our meetings.
I intend to lift the standards of our meetings to the level which the Monash community rightly expects of its elected representatives.
Finally, I am pleased to also present to you the draft Council budget for the coming year. With the lowest rate increase in almost 20 years, this budget cements Monash Council’s position as having the lowest average rates of all 79 Victorian councils.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me if there is anything I can assist you with in relation to Council. I can’t promise I will be able to fix your problem, but I do promise that I will try and that I will always get back to you with a full response. Just call or – even better – send me an email, tweet or letter.
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