Meeting dates and procedures

Overview

On 19 June 2020, the Acting Minister for Local Government appointed the Panel of Administrators for the City of Whittlesea, and appointed Lydia Wilson as Chair of the Panel. The Panel of Administrators comprises of Lydia Wilson, Peita Duncan and Christian Zahra AM who will undertake the duties of the Council until the October 2024 Local Government Election.

The Panel of Administrators currently attend our scheduled Council meetings. At the meetings the Panel debates Council business, sets strategic objectives and make decisions on behalf of the community. Members of the community are welcome to attend these meetings, which are held most months throughout the year.

After the local council elections of October 2024, our newly elected Councillors will resume council duties and attend the meetings.

Meeting dates

Meetings are held most months at our Council Offices in South Morang.

Meeting agendas, minutes and recordings

• Meeting agendas are available from the Thursday afternoon prior to the meeting.
• Unconfirmed minutes are available on the Monday following the Council Meeting. Confirmed minutes are available after the following Council Meeting.
• If you want to attend a council meeting but can't make it, you can now see how decisions are made by watching our Council meetings live on YouTube. You can turn on closed captions by clicking the “CC” icon at the bottom of the YouTube videos.
• Recordings from the meeting live stream are also made available on our website. Read the Live Stream Disclaimer. 

Council meeting agendas, minutes and recordings 

Governance rules

Meetings at the City of Whittlesea are covered in our Governance Rules.

The Governance Rules(PDF, 645KB) are made in accordance with Section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

These rules determine the way in which Council will:

• make decisions in the best interest of the City of Whittlesea community; fairly and on the merits of the question; and in a way that ensures any person whose rights will be directly affected by a decision will be entitled to communicate their views and have their interests considered.
• elect its Mayor and Deputy Mayor
• conduct meetings of Council and Delegated Committees
• give notice of meetings and record and make available meeting records (minutes and livestreamed Meetings)
• be informed in its decision making through community engagement, Advisory Committees and Administrator/Councillor areas of responsibility, and Council Officer Reports
• require the disclosure and management of conflicts of interest.

These rules also include:

• rules for the conduct of Council and Councillors during election periods, through the Election Period Policy; and
• an overview of alignment of the Governance Rules within Council’s democratic and corporate governance.

Council’s Governance Rules were updated on 18 June 2024.

Download the rules

 Governance Rules June 2024(PDF, 645KB)

Asking questions at Council meetings

Residents and ratepayers of the City of Whittlesea have the opportunity to submit questions ahead of scheduled Council meetings.

You’re not required to attend the meeting for your question to be read out and a response provided at the meeting.

Please note: a maximum of one question per person can be submitted per meeting.

Priority will be given to questions or statements relating to agenda items and those submitted prior to 12 pm the day prior to the Council meeting.

Special requirements

We’re committed to ensuring that all residents and ratepayers can contribute to Council’s democratic process.

If you’re unable to provide your question in writing and/or in English. and would like to make other arrangements, please call our Governance team before a Council meeting on 03 9217 2170. We can discuss other ways for you to submit your question.

Submitting your question

You can submit your question in a number of ways.

Submit your question online

Submit a question to Council online

Submit your question by email

Download a form and email to civic.administration@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

Questions to Council form - accessible(DOC, 942KB)

Questions to Council form(PDF, 230KB)

Further information

For more information, visit our page on asking questions at Council meetings, or see our FAQs.

Attending Council meetings

Any member of the public can attend Council Meetings to hear what is going on. The meetings involve decision-making on topics including:

• town planning
• the construction of community facilities
• community services
• a range of policies that guide our actions.

Council meeting procedures

You can find information about how Whittlesea Council is governed in our Governance Rules(PDF, 645KB) and the Common Seal and Conduct at Meetings Local Law 2020(PDF, 243KB). The Governance Rules were updated on 19 September 2023.

These documents regulate:

• procedures and meeting processes for Scheduled Council Meetings, Additional Council Meetings, and Delegated Committee Meetings; 
• use of the Council Common Seal; and
• offence provisions relating to disorderly conduct at meetings and misuse of the Council Common Seal.

Download the documents

Common Seal and Conduct at Meetings Local Law 2020(PDF, 243KB)

Common Seal and Conduct at Meetings Local Law 2020 - accessible(DOCX, 80KB)