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Department of Local Government - Governance Concerns

The City of Melville received a letter from the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries (the Department) in March 2023 regarding governance concerns.  As a result of this letter, the City of Melville Council adopted the "City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan 2023/2024" in August 2023. A further request was received from the Department in November 2023, for additional actionsfor additional actions. The Council adopted an "Updated City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan 2023/2024" at its Ordinary Meeting of Council in February 2024.

More information on the background to this matter and a copy of the City's updated Governance Improvement Plan as adopted by Council is available in the timeline below. 
February 2024

At the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 20 February 2024, the Council adopted an updated "City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan". 

Read the Updated City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan

City of Melville Response to Governance Concerns - Additional Matters

    November 2023

    In November 2023, the City received correspondence from the Department of Local Government Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) in response to the City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan 2023-2024.

    Following a review of the Plan’s contents, the DLGSC requested further consideration and/or action on a number of points.

    read the November 2023 letter from the department

      August 2023

      At the Ordinary Meeting of Council (OMC) held on Tuesday, 15 August 2023, the Council adopted the "City of Melville Governance Improvement Plan 2023/2024".  

      Acess the minutes for the august 2023 omc

      March 2023

      In March 2023, the City received a letter from the Department of Local Government Sport and Cultural Industries (the Department), regarding governance concerns at the City of Melville.  

      The City acknowledged the letter from the Department and confirmed it would respond to their request; that the City and its Council consider and determine an action plan.

      read the March 2023 letter from the department

      In summary the matters of concern included:

      • Lack of formalised process for dealing with council member behavioural complaints
      • Inappropriate questioning of staff by council members during council meetings and at other times
      • Inappropriate council member conduct and behaviour toward other council members, and administration staff
      • Council members involvement in operational matters
      • Number of items for council meetings deferred by council 
      • Inappropriate interactions from members of the community with council members and administration staff
      • Appropriateness of council member motions
      • Increasing costs for legal advice and legal services
      • Duration of council meetings

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