Council Meetings

Governance Rules

In accordance with Section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020, each Council is required to adopt a set of Governance Rules.

Moira Shire Council adopted its Governance Rules on 26 August 2020. The rules give guidance in relation to:

• the conduct of Council meetings
• the conduct of meetings of delegated committees
• the form and availability of meeting records
• the election of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor
• the appointment of an Acting Mayor
• an election period policy
• the procedures for the disclosure of a conflict of interest by a Councillor 
• the procedure for the disclosure of a conflict of interest by a member of a delegated committee
• the disclosure of a conflict of interest by a member of Council staff when providing information in respect of a matter
• any other matters prescribed by the regulations

Governance Rules - adopted 26 August 2020(PDF, 398KB)

Conduct at Council Meetings

It is an offence not to comply with the conduct provisions of Council's Governance Rules. Councils Use of the Common Seal and Conduct of Council Meetings Local Law sets out the penalties that will to apply to offences relating to conduct.

The Local Law also regulates the use of the common seal and prohibits unauthorised use of the common seal.

Use of the Common Seal & Conduct at Council Meetings Local Law No. 1 2021(PDF, 214KB)

Council will hold a Questions of Council time of up to 30 minutes duration at the beginning each Scheduled Council Meeting.

This is an opportunity for the general public to submit a question prior to the Scheduled Council Meeting and receive a response from Council in the Questions of Council time. Council meetings are recorded and broadcasted to the public, this includes community questions and responses.

Questions must be submitted in writing and received by Council no later than 5pm the day prior to the Scheduled Council Meeting. 

Tips for asking your question:

• If you would like to provide information or background to your question, you should submit your question in advance of the meeting. The Governance Rules do not allow extended statements as part of asking a question from the floor.
• If you have questions about rates, maintenance or progress of a project or program you don’t need to wait for a council meeting. These matters are operational and you can contact council during business hours for a response

To submit your question in advance of the meeting:

• Use the online form below
• Email your question to info@moira.vic.gov.au
• By post:

  Attention: Governance department 
  Moira Shire Council
  PO Box 578
  COBRAM VIC 3643     

If you are submitting your question by email or post please ensure that it clearly states that the Council Meeting date that the question is for.

For further information about Questions of Council time refer to Section 7.1 of the Governance Rules.

Collection Statement

Council is collecting your personal information for the administration of your question and/or directly related purposes. Council may disclose this information to another organisation if required by legislation. Requests for access and/or correction to your personal information should be made to Council’s Privacy Officer.

You can find out more about how we use and protect your information by viewing our Privacy Statement.

Council provides the opportunity for petitions and joint letters to be presented at Scheduled Council Meetings where they are related to issues in which Council has direct interest or responsibility. 

Every petition submitted to Council must:

(a) be legible and in permanent writing;
(b) be clear and on each page the matter and action sought from council stated;
(c) not be derogatory, defamatory or objectionable in language or nature;
(d) not relate to matters outside the powers of Council; and
(e) include the names, addresses and original signatures of at least 10 people

Where a petition has been signed by less than 10 people, it will be treated as a joint letter and forwarded directly to the appropriate member of Council staff for action as an operational item.

For further information about Petitions and Joint Letters refer to Section 7.3 of the Governance Rules.