Proposed changes to the City of Whittlesea’s governance rules include replacing the Lord’s Prayer at council meetings with a good governance diversity statement.
Among other proposed changes are provisions for virtual and hybrid meetings, clearer definitions of meeting roles, and embedding the acknowledgement of traditional owners.
Residents can provide feedback on the council’s updated draft governance rules, which directs the council’s meetings, decisions and elections of the mayor and deputy mayor.
The draft was last updated in 2021.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the Local Government Act 2020 insisted council governance rules be updated, and that the provisions regulated a diverse and accessible community.
“In keeping with our community-focused approach to genuine engagement these rules help demystify the council meeting process including opportunities for residents to participate in council meetings,” she said.
“We want to ensure our meetings are accessible, inclusive and reflective of our diverse community.
“And we have simplified the way they are presented making sure they are user-friendly, written in plain English and easy to navigate.”
Ms Wilson said adding an acknowledgement of traditional owners contributed to the council’s vision, titled A Place for All.
“In addition to the acknowledgement of traditional owners we are proposing a good governance diversity statement that aligns to council vision of A Place for All, to replace the prayer that is currently said at the beginning of council meetings,” she said.
People can have their say on the revised draft governance rules by visiting engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au until August 21
