CounCilS gOVernanCe - Shire of Yarra Ranges

18 Council’s governance
Council’s governance
Council is committed to good governance and has
a series of policies and protocols that outline our
intention and approach and provide the framework
for decision making.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council is constituted under the
Local Government Act 1989 to provide democratic
local government to the Yarra Ranges community.
The purposes and objectives of Council, as well as
the functions and powers of a local government,
are also defined in the Act.
Making decisions
Council’s formal decision making processes are conducted
through public Council meetings which are held on the
second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Unlike many
local authorities, Yarra Ranges Council does not constitute
a number of Special Committees to assist its decision
making, preferring instead to conduct all decision making
through the twice monthly public meeting. Council also
has extensive delegations in place to the Chief Executive
Officer and key council staff. These delegations are
exercised in accordance with adopted Council policies
and through an instrument of delegation.
Council adopted a number of significant policies,
strategies and plans during the 2011–12 year including:
Competition Complaints Policy
Councillor Expenditure and Donation Policy
Urgent Business Guidelines
Library Strategy and Action Plan
Flora and Fauna Plan
Council Plan
Procurement Policy.
Lilydale
The Audit and Risk Management Committee provides
assurance to Council around probity and effective
financial management, risk management and corporate
governance. While the Committee has no formal decision
making powers, they provide valued, independent advice
to Council. The Charter of the Audit and Risk Management
Committee was reviewed and approved by Council in
2011–12 and the Committee met four times to consider
issues within its remit. The Committee is comprised of
three independent members and two Councillor members
and has an independent Chair. Further details on the
Audit and Risk Management Committee are outlined
on page 93 of this report.
Our Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) is made up of the
CEO and four directors. The SLT makes decisions within
their delegation about significant issues that have a cross
organisational impact. They also consider important
reports prior to submission to Council and oversee the
implementation of Council adopted strategies and policies.
Further details on the Strategic Leadership Team are
outlined on pages 75 to 77 of this report.
Yarra Glen
Coldstream
Healesville
Woori Yallock
Warburton
Powelltown
Upwey
Belgrave
Monbulk