Craig Lloyd, Shire CEO

Murrindindi Shire Council is set to expand its delegation to Craig Lloyd, its Chief Executive Officer, during the declared State of Emergency arising from the Caronavirus global pandemic.

The powers would be delegated should it not be possible to form a quorum of councillors due to the pandemic.

“Council is a legal entity comprised of its members (the seven Councillors),” says a report due to be presented to this week’s meeting at Yea.

“Its decision making power exists only as a group through resolution, not as individual Councillors.

“Physical attendance at Council meetings is required under the Local Government Act 1989, therefore Councillors annot participate in Council meetings by electronic or telephonic means.

“The Victorian State Government declared a State of Emergency on March 15 in relation to he COVID-19 pandemic. This State of Emergency and the increasing spread of COVID-19 has led Council to consider the possibility that a quorum may not be possible at Council meetings as a direct consequence of the pandemic.”

“The inability to form a quorum and conduct the normal business of the Council would cause severe disruption to service delivery,” says the report. “Strong governance, public transparency and reporting processes that apply to Council meetings would be maintained.”