Updated: 6.30am 30/1/24
Municipal monitors are being appointed to work with the Moonee Valley City Council to improve its understanding of its role, performance, and service to its community.
The decision was detailed by the Minister for Local Government, Melissa Horne, today, with Philip Carruthers appointed to start today and second monitor to be announced soon.
Mr Carruthers has governance and management experience in the private and public sectors. He has served in executive roles at the CSIRO, VicRoads, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and the Borough of Queenscliffe and is also an experienced board director and chair.
The appointment is for a six-month period until late July.
Moonee Valley Mayor Cr Pierce Tyson welcomed the appointment of the monitors and thank the Minister and Local Government Victoria “for their support on this issue.”
He said ahead of government reforms regarding individual accountability for councillors, “I trust Moonee Valley will serve as an important case study in professional and positive practices.”
The monitors’ terms of reference direct them to advise and provide any relevant assistance and support to the council in relation to the improvement of the council’s governance processes and practices.
Matters to be monitored include councillor understanding and performance of their roles and responsibilities, with specific reference to confidentiality, conflicts of interest, relationships between councillors and Council staff, and CEO employment and remuneration policies and processes.
Ms Horne said, “Governance issues at Moonee Valley City Council must be addressed and the appointment of monitors for the next six months will help bring this about.”
“The council needs to improve and serve its community to the best of its ability – that is the purpose of local government and a role performed by scores of councils across the state.”