There was a protracted period leading up to my election as mayor in May 2016 where meetings of Council had experienced a pronounced decline in behavioural standards amongst a small group of councillors and persons in the Public Gallery.
In response to this, Council resolved at the May 2016 meeting to support my recommendations to:
- introduce Supplementary Standing Orders to supplement its Meeting Procedures Local Law No 1 to strengthen conduct requirements at meetings; and
- establish the short term position of an independent Governance and Behaviour Monitor (Monitor) to observe all remaining Council meetings of the 2012-16 term.
These were self-initiated accountability measures designed to secure immediate improvement to the functioning of Council meetings and to improve the functioning of Council’s meetings.
Specifically, they were designed to monitor adherence by councillors and others attending Council meetings of the behavioural standards reasonably expected by the Monash community of all persons participating in Council meetings.
The role of the Monitor was to report on the adherence by councillors and others attending Council meetings of the reasonable behavioural standards required as well as to provide an independent perspective on my role as chairperson of meetings and comment on whether I chair each meeting in an appropriate and unbiased manner.
Former Waverley mayor and councillor, Mr Russell Hannan was appointed by Council in May as the Monitor. Mr Hannan was chosen by Council on the basis that he has an impeccable reputation in the community, as a former councillor and mayor of the City of Waverley.
Moreover, his membership of the Liberal Party and his involvement at a very senior level in that party (as a past state president and current state treasurer), gave him unimpeachable credentials to hold the current council to impartial account.
The following are the reports from Mr Hannan which show the substantial and sustained improvement to Council’s meetings which have been achieved since his appointment and my election as mayor in May:
- Mr Hannan’s report on the May 2016 meeting of Council;
- Mr Hannan’s report on the June 2016 meeting of Council;
- Mr Hannan’s report on the July 2016 meeting of Council;
- Mr Hannan’s report on the August 1016 meeting of Council; and
- Mr Hannan’s report on the September 2016 meeting of Council (pending).
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