Qualification, Election and Role of a Councillor
- Election of Councillors
- Qualification to be a Councillor
- Role of a Councillor
- Time Commitment
- Allowances
- The Mayor
- Councillors' Code of Conduct
Election of Councillors
Notices are placed in the local newspapers circulating in the municipality, advising of the opening of nominations for candidates for Council elections and providing details regarding contacting the Returning Officer for further information and advice.
For more information on becoming a Councillor please visit these sites:
Qualification to be a Councillor
Once elected, a person must retain their entitlement to be enrolled on the voters' roll to be able to continue as a Councillor.
Role of a Councillor
The following is a summary of a Councillor's functions, as outlined in the Municipal Association of Victoria's publication, 'Citizen to Councillor' (second edition) -- corporate planning and business planning
- service planning and specifying service outcomes
- financial strategy and budget
- policy development and monitoring
- community representation and advocacy
- locally
- municipal wide
- regionally
- inter-governmental - performance review and monitoring
- community consultation and communication
More information may be obtained from the Municipal Association of Victoria's website www.mav.asn.au.
Time Commitment
Councillors are required to attend Council meetings, which are conducted every three weeks and held out of hours. In addition Councillors may be involved with various committees of Council or serve on external committees as a Council representative. Most of these committees would also hold their meetings out of hours.
Allowances
The State Government, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1989 sets the minimum and maximum levels of the allowances.
Each Council has the discretion to determine the level of the allowances paid within these limits and must make this determination each year.
Currently City of Monash Councillors are paid $18,000 per annum and the Mayor an annual allowance of $57,500 plus the use of a fully maintained Council vehicle.
The allowances are taxable income and paid to a Councillor to assist them with meeting the costs they incur in conducting their duties as a Councillor.
The allowances will be reviewed after the November 2008 Council elections.
The Council also has a policy relating to out of pocket expenses Councillors may claim and which are incurred as a result of their conducting their duties as Councillors.
In addition, Councillors of the City of Monash may be provided with a mobile phone, a fax machine and an answering machine, to assist them to carry out their duties as Councillors.
The Mayor
The Mayor chairs all Council meetings at which she/he is present.
The Mayor takes precedence at municipal functions and performs an important ceremonial and social role. The Mayor may be called upon to officially open events and speak at special functions.
Councillors' Code of Conduct
On 3 November 2004, Council adopted a 'Code of Conduct for Councillors'. The Code provides a framework for ethical and professional behaviour of Councillors in the range of interactions between Councillors, Council staff and the public. It covers various areas of professional conduct and details the minimum standards of behaviour expected of Councillors.
Code of Conduct for Councillors
Updated: 5 August 2008
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