Updated 30 March 2023
Victoria’s Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, has received the final report of the municipal monitor appointed to Horsham Rural City Council.
Jude Holt was appointed last year and worked with the Council over a six month period to assist with a “transition back to good governance, processes and practices.”
Minister Horne said the report recommended no further intervention, beyond a recommendation for the council to invest in a Community Leadership Program to support potential candidates for the 2024 elections.
Observations in the monitor’s report included evident conflict amongst the councillor cohort, noting an overall improvement behaviour during the monitor’s term.
Ms Holt also commented that with the oversight of the Municipal Monitor ending, there is potential for behaviours to regress.
She also makes observations about the capacity and experience of the councillor group to manage the CEO employment relationship, and recommends a broader role for the independent person who supports the performance review and objective setting process.
Ms Holt has also called for the government to consider developing best practice guidelines to support the sector in providing consistent reporting of councillor related costs, and in providing a full line of sight to the cost of governing councils.
Read the Minister’s media statement; Read the Municipal Monitor’s Final Report