Corporate Governance and Legal

Our purpose: We ensure that all Council services operate in a manner that is compliant with legislation and policy, and are undertaken with the highest levels of integrity, transparency and accountability.

The Governance and Legal Department promotes Good Governance by Design, with the aim being the ensure that Good Governance is ‘Embedded in Monash’s DNA’, and provides the following services to achieve this aim.

Governance

The Governance Service has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• championing the adherence to the requirements of the Local Government Acts
• Freedom of Information
• maintaining a register and oversight of policies and procedures
• managing Council business, for example, Council agendas and minutes
• championing the Governance Rules
• managing the Public Questions process
• the Complaints Officer function under Council’s Complaints Policy
• oversight of the Council’s CCTV Policy
• promoting Public Transparency
• Delegations and Authorisations
• the Privacy Officer, Internal Review Officer, Councillor Conduct Officer, and Public Interest Disclosure Coordinator roles

Information Management

Information Management is responsible for ensuring that all Council records are kept and comply with the Records Management legislation, including:

• Collection and management of incoming correspondence
• Distribution of that information within the organisation
• Records and archiving management

Insurance and Claims

The Insurance and Claims Service:

• Champions Council’s mitigation of risks via insurance
• Manage claims and insurance renewals

Legal Support

The Legal Support Service champions a risk-based approach to ensuring that Council meets its legal obligations, which involves:

• managing Council’s panel of legal service providers
• assisting staff with support around legal related issues

Civic Facilities

The Civic Facilities Service ensures that the Civic Centre and the adjacent office space occupied by Council staff functions effectively, with key responsibilities to coordinate:

• Civic facility maintenance
• meeting rooms and vehicle booking systems
• office equipment purchase
• catering. 

The Civic Facilities Service also manages the Citizenship Ceremonies which Council runs on behalf of the Federal Government.

Our teams

• Insurance and Claims Management
• Governance
• Records and Information Management
• Legal Services
• Civic Operations