Emergency powers for CEO in case virus sidelines Councillors

Published on 27 March 2020

Corangamite Shire has a backup plan in case Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) sidelines the elected Councillors.

At the March Council Meeting at Timboon Hall on Tuesday night (24 March), Councillors voted to give the Chief Executive Officer additional powers to ensure Council services could continue even if Councillors where unable to meet.

Mayor Neil Trotter said The Local Government Act and other legislation provided for the appointment of delegates to act on behalf of Council. 

Cr Trotter said the pandemic raised the risk that some Councillors might be ill or self-isolated and a quorum of four Councillors could not be achieved. 

“A minimum of four councillors are required for a Council meeting to proceed, and the Local Government Act currently states they must be physically present.

“A State of Emergency has been declared in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to have far reaching and lengthy implications for the community. 

“Continuity of service to the community must be maintained regardless of circumstances and this offers a legal fall-back position if too many Councillors are indisposed.”

The person acting as Chief Executive Officer would be able to make decisions on behalf of Council beyond what is currently permitted, although functions such as adoption of the Budget would still require a Council decision.

A number of other Councils have passed similar resolutions.