Why we're consulting

Wodonga Council is working to develop a Committees Policy to clearly define the role and scope of committees in the organisation.

We are now seeking feedback from the community on the Draft Committees Policy.

All feedback will be considered in finalising the document before it is presented to council for adoption.

Under the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act), the council can establish committees to exercise its powers, manage assets, or advise the council on specific issues.

The Act makes provision for the following.

• Delegated committees (s.63)
• Joint delegated committees (s.64)
• Community asset committees (s.65)
• Other meetings conducted under the auspices of Council [s.131(1)], of which advisory committees or reference groups are examples

There are also statutory committees that council must establish, examples being:

• The Audit and Risk Committee under the Act; and,
• The Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee under s.59 of the Emergency Management Act 2013.

Committees can assist the work of council in several ways.

Advisory committees

Although advisory committees are not specified in the Act, the council can establish an advisory committee, along with its membership, through a resolution at a council meeting.

An advisory committee can work with council in relation to program, policy, and service development, and allow council to access specialised expertise within the community. An advisory committee has no delegated powers or decision-making responsibilities.

Community asset committees

Council may establish a Community Asset Committee (CAC), along with its membership, through a resolution at a Council meeting. The powers, duties and functions will be set out in an instrument of delegation by the Chief Executive Officer to committee members.

Delegated committees

The council can establish delegated committees, and this cannot be delegated. Membership must include at least two councillors. The chair may be appointed by the council or the mayor but must be a councillor.

A delegated committee may exercise the powers, duties, and functions of the council on its behalf. The powers, duties and functions of a delegated committee must be set out in an instrument of delegation from the council.

Planning committees (as a delegated committee)

Planning Committees can be established using provisions from both the Act and the Planning and Environment Act 1987 – two examples are included with the attachments – City of Darebin and City of Yarra, along with a template provided by Maddocks.

Statutory committees

There are also statutory committees which council is required to have, such as the Audit and Risk Committee and the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee.

Governance Rules

Delegated committees run in accordance with the council’s Governance Rules.

Other committees run in accordance with their instrument of delegation or terms of reference / charter.

Conflicts of interest

All committee members must adhere to council’s conflict of interest provisions, whether it is in the Governance Rules or the committee’s terms of reference.

The most identified risk of committees with delegated power is the management of conflicts of interest. Managing conflicts of interest is about ensuring the integrity and transparency of decision-making. The definitive statement of a relevant person’s obligations is the Act and Regulations, and particularly sections 126 to 131 of the Act.

Councillor representation on committees

It is important for the success of any committee that the membership, particularly councillor representation, is representative of the larger council group, and by inference, the greater community.

This consultation is open from Wednesday, May 17 to Tuesday, June 13.

Anyone who lives, works, studies or invests in Wodonga or visits the municipality and uses the facilities, is invited to review the information provided, ask questions and provide feedback during this time.

Ways to provide feedback

• Complete the online submission form below.
• Email: makewodongayours@wodonga.vic.gov.au
• Phone: (02) 6022 9300