Introduction
Nature of the Rules and Authorising Provision
The City of Casey is constituted as a municipal Council under the Local Government Act 2020. The Council is a body corporate and is required to have a common seal, used in conjunction with any local law.
These are the Governance Rules of Casey City Council. The Governance Rules are made under, and in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.
Context
These Rules should be read in the context of, and in conjunction with:
- the overarching governance and supporting principles specified in section 9 of the Act
- the following documents endorsed by Council:
- Councillor Code of Conduct
- Public Transparency Policy
- Community Engagement Policy
Petitions
Every petition presented to Council shall be written and must:
- contain five or more signatories;
- be legible and in permanent writing (i.e. no pencil)
- be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, the Mayor, or a Councillor, containing a request for action to be taken by Council
- not be indecent, abusive or objectionable in language or content
- repeat the full wording of the petition on every page as contained on the first page of the petition. Any signature appearing upon a page which does not bear the whole of the petition or request will not be considered by Council
- include the names and residential addresses of all persons who signed the petition
- be original signatures, not photocopied or scanned copies and be sent to Council in a hardcopy format
- be a single piece of paper and not be posted, stapled, pinned or otherwise affixed or attached to any other piece of paper, other than another page of the petition.
- Council may by resolution, accept an electronic or online petitions which must include the names and email addresses of each petitioner or signatory.
- any petition relating to a Planning Permit, or a matter that is out for community consultation, will be treated as one formal objection from all persons who sign the petition.
- formal objections to a Planning Permit can be submitted via the form on Council’s website. These objections must comply with s.57 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (VIC).
- if a petition relates to an operational matter, Council must refer it to the Chief Executive Officer for consideration.
Public question time
Please refer to Submit a public question | City of Casey for further details.
Public Addressing the Meeting
- No debate on questions will be permitted.
- Members of the public do not have a right to address Council and may only do so with the consent of the Chair or by prior arrangement.
- Members of the public who address Council must adhere to Council’s policy, procedure, or guideline, adopted from time to time.
- Any member of the public addressing Council must extend due courtesy and respect to Council and the processes under which it operates and must take direction from the Chair whenever called on to do so.
Public Behaviour at a Meeting
- Council Meetings are decision making forums and it is important that they are open to the community to attend and/or view proceedings.
- A member of the public present at a Council Meeting must not disrupt the meeting and may only participate in Council Meetings in accordance with these Rules:
- A visitor or person in the public gallery must not interject or take part in the debate of a Council Meeting.
- Silence must be preserved in the public gallery during any Council Meeting.
- Community members may seek to inform individual Councillors of their views by contacting them directly in advance of Council Meetings.
- Any member of the public must extend the courtesy and respect to Council and the processes under which it operates and must take direction from the Chair whenever called on to do so.
- Members of the public during a Council Meeting must:
- Not operate photographic, audio or video recording equipment or any other recording device at any Council Meeting.
- Not bring into or attempt to bring into the Council Meeting any offensive material placed on placards, banners, posters or other signage.
Election Period Policy
In accordance with s. 69 of the Act, the Election Period Policy requires the prohibition of any Council Decisions during the election period for a general election that:
- relates to the appointment or remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer but not to the appointment or remuneration of an Acting Chief Executive Officer; or
- commits the Council to expenditure exceeding one per cent of the Council's income from general rates, municipal charges and service rates and charges in the preceding financial year; or
- the Council considers could be reasonably deferred until the next Council is in place; or
- the Council considers should not be made during an election period.
- any Council decision during the election period for a general election or a by- election that would enable the use of Council's resources in a way that is intended to influence, or is likely to influence, voting at the election.
- The Chief Executive Officer will ensure that prohibited decisions are either considered by Council prior to the election period or are scheduled for decision by the incoming Council.
For further details, please refer to Chapter 8 of the Governance Rules.