The following items were noted at the 25 November Council Meeting:
Council and Wellbeing Plan, Annual Action Plan 2024/25
Council received an update on the progress of the Melton City Council and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025: Annual Action Plan 2024/25 for the first quarter.
The Annual Action Plan is linked to the Council and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025 and sets out actions for Council to deliver to help meet the needs of its growing community.
Two out of the 43 identified for the 2024/25 year were completed by the end of the first quarter, with the remainder on track for completion. The completed actions were:
- Delivery of the annual City of Melton Short Story Competition ─ which saw nearly 350 entries submitted by adults through to teens and children, providing the opportunity to bring the community together and recognise local talent.
- Hosting of the 2024 Developer Forum ─ held in July at Punthill Apartments in Caroline Springs with over 50 people attending with the Planning Minister, The Honourable Sonia Kilkenny MP, as the keynote speaker at the event.
Community Grant and Fund Program update
Council also received an update on the third round of the revised Community Grant and Fund Program which was introduced earlier this year.
The Community Grants Program offers grants up to $5,000 to community groups, clubs or not-for-profit organisations with an idea or project that provides positive benefits to the community. In this round, 10 applications were approved for funding, totalling over $37,000.
Council also continued to receive and process eligible Community Fund applications. Since March this year, a total of 53 Resident Achievement Fund and 13 New Group Fund applications have been approved for funding, totalling just under $63,000.
Councillor representation nominations on committees and other bodies
Council approved representation by Councillors on the following committees and other bodies for 2024/25:
- LeadWest Joint Delegated Committee - Cr Phillip Zada and Cr Sophie Ramsey (as substitute representative)
- Audit and Risk Committee - Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi and Deputy Mayor Cr Lara Carli
- Municipal Association of Victoria - Cr Kathy Majdlik and Cr John Verdon (as substitute delegate)
The appointment of Councillors as representatives on delegated committees, advisory committees, and external bodies plays an integral part in them exercising their representation and advocacy responsibilities on behalf of the community.
2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards
At the meeting, Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi acknowledged Council's CommuKnitty Crafters group, who were announced as a finalist at the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards held last Tuesday.
The CommuKnitty Crafters are a group of dedicated volunteers who create handmade items, including blankets, for patients at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, to help provide some comfort to them during their difficult journey. More than 165 senior crafters have contributed to this initiative over the years.
Mayor Abboushi congratulated Sandra McMenemie, lead volunteer, and all of the CommuKnitty Crafters volunteers.
These are just some of the items from this month's Council meeting. Livestreams of past Council meetings are available on Council's website.
