Agenda and minutes

Apologies for this meeting were received from Councillors Len Cox and Fiona McAllister.

RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS OF VICTORIAN MINISTERS

The Mayor acknowledged the following senior Victorian Government Ministers who recently announced their resignation and confirmed they will not be standing for re-election at the State Election to be held in November 2022.

·         The Honourable James Merlino – Member for Monbulk; Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Minister for Mental Health.

·         The Honourable Martin Foley – Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services and Minister for Equality

·         The Honourable Martin Pakula – Minister for Tourism, Minister for Sport and Major Events, Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Racing and Minister for Business Precincts

·         The Honourable Lisa Neville – Minister for Police and Minister for Water

The Mayor then thanked all the retiring Ministers, in particular the Hon. James Merlino MP, for their service over the years and detailed the ongoing contribution Minister Merlino has made to the Yarra Ranges community since his appointment as a Councillor of Yarra Ranges from 1997-2002.

It was noted that Minister Merlino was Deputy Mayor from 2001-2002, represented the State as Minister for Education and Health and played a key role in managing Victoria’s response to the Codiv-19 pandemic. The Mayor sincerely thanked the Hon. James Merlino MP for his contributions.

The Mayor then acknowledged that, as a result of the resignations, a number of Minister were sworn in, notably Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria who was appointed as Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Equality and Minister for Water. The achievements to date of Harriet Shing, were highlighted and the Mayor congratulated Harriet on her appointment.

Finally, The Mayor passed on his congratulations to the Hon Melissa Horne on her appointment as Minister for Local Government and Minister for Suburban Development as a result of the Hon Shaun Leane taking on a new portfolio as the Minister for Commonwealth Games Legacy and Minister for Veterans.

Moved: Cr Heenan

Seconded: Cr Todorov

That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held 14 June 2022, as circulated, be confirmed.

The motion was Carried.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Questions or Submissions from the public registered for this meeting.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Petitions received for this meeting.

SUMMARY

Following the introduction of the Local Government Act 2020 and requirement for Regional Library Corporations (RLCs) to be wound up in accordance with section 330(4) and a beneficial enterprise established in accordance with section 110, at Council Forum in August 2021 Councillors requested officers:

·                Write to the CEO of Eastern Regional Library Corporation (ERLC) to provide in principle support to progress to the establishment of a New Library Corporation (NLC) under section 110 of the 2020 Act;

·                Engage appropriate legal services to undertake a review of the NLC and prepare a risk assessment in accordance with section 111 of the 2020 Act; and

·                Subject to the legal review, and officer’s consideration of proposed future arrangements, prepare a report for consideration of Council to endorse participation in the NLC in accordance with section 110 of the 2020 Act.

Legal services were engaged and provided with the draft constitution, risk assessment and draft transfer of business agreement for review. Legal services advised that the draft constitution, risk assessment and draft transfer of business agreement accord with section 110 of the Local Government Act 2020 and they are satisfied that what is proposed will meet the requirements of section 111.

Based on external legal advice and officer review of documentation Council has met, and will continue to meet, the requirements pursuant to section 110(1) and section 111 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Council has:

1)    Assessed the total investment involved and the total risk exposure and ensured that its total risk exposure does not exceed its total investment;

2)    Ensured that the corporation is a limited corporation;

3)    Ensured through the company’s Constitution and the Your Library Agreement:

a)    risk management arrangements have been established;

b)    regular performance monitoring and reporting arrangements in relation to the beneficial enterprise are implemented;

c)    any changes to the operation or purpose of the beneficial enterprise are reported to Council;

d)    risks associated with any changes to the operation or purpose of the beneficial enterprise are identified and managed; and

e)    a report on the operations and performance of the beneficial enterprise will be included in its annual report.

In line with the draft constitution section 18.1, each member Council is required to appoint two Board members (Directors) to the NLC.

SUMMARY

The Asset Plan 2022-2032 and Asset Management Policy 2022 have been revised following a four-week period of community engagement, Councillor comment and internal staff feedback.  Council asked the community what is missing and what they would like to see more of in the documents.  Key feedback included adding more about the role of community groups in asset management and the importance of climate change and natural assets.

Adoption of an Asset Plan is required by 30 June 2022 under the Local Government Act 2022.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Cr Skelton attended the Belgrave Lantern Festival Parade held 25 June 2022 in the township of Belgrave. It was reported that the festival had high attendance numbers and a good atmosphere.

The Mayor, Cr Jim Child represented Council at the National General Assembly 2022 in Canberra and gave an update on the proceedings which included

·         An address from Senator Hon. Murray Watt MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management who announced that Local Government would be appointed to National Cabinet as well as the Council on Federal Financial Relations.

·         An address from the National Party and Shadow Minister for Agriculture the Hon. David Littleproud MP.

·         A meeting with the Coordinator-General of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency the Hon. Shane Stone AC QC.

Cr Higgins attended the Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Shortest Lunch 2022 held 25 - 26 June 2022 and noted it was a fantastic way to support our local wineries.

Cr Eastham attended:

?          A Burrinja Board meeting held 27 June 2022 and highlighted the incredible effort the Arts industry has had to endure as a result of Covid. Cr Eastham thanked the Chief Executive Officer, Garrath Hart, the staff and the community for all the hard work and support that goes into running an establishment like this. 

Cr Skelton:

?          Attended the Hills Community Recovery Committee held 23 June 2022 via videoconference where three new members were welcomed into the group. 

?          Advised that NAIDOC week begins 3 July 2022 and runs until 10 July 2022 and encouraged members of the public to attend, highlighting in particular Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnston’s exhibition which is on display at Burrinja until 23 July 2022.

Cr Heenan:

?          Thanked the Mayor for his commitment to the role and attendance in Canberra representing Local Government.

?          Attended an event held Sunday 26 June 2022 at Mt Evelyn RSL where Roger Boness was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by RSL Victoria. Cr Heenan detailed the struggles and achievement that Mr Boness had braved throughout his life and commented that it was well deserved.

Cr Todorov attended:

?          The Lilydale Township Action Group Community Forum and thanked all staff involved in presenting on Climate Action, noting it was great to see Council are ahead of the game.

Cr Child attended:

?          The Municipal Association of Victoria State Council held 24 June 2022 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and noted that two motions pertaining to Yarra Ranges Council were accepted. The Chief Executive Officer was also in attendance.

?          The Lilydale Revitalisation Board meeting held 28 June 2022 at Civic Centre, Lilydale. The Chief Executive Officer was also in attendance and chaired the meeting.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Documents for Signing and Sealing received for this meeting.

SUMMARY

Chapter 8, Rule 1, of the Governance Rules requires that records of informal meetings of Councillors must be kept and that the Chief Executive Officer must ensure that a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting tabled at the next convenient Council meeting and recorded in the Minutes of that Council meeting.

An ‘informal meeting of Councillors’ is defined in the Governance Rules as a meeting of Councillors that:

·         is scheduled or planned for the purpose of discussing the business of Council or briefing Councillors;

·         is attended by at least one member of Council staff; and

·         is not a Council meeting, Delegated Committee meeting or Community Asset Committee meeting.

The records for informal meetings of Councillors are attached to the report.

In accordance with Chapter 3 Rule 24 of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Nil

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

Nil