The way ratepayer-funded projects are reviewed by the City of Joondalup council could soon change, with two committees facing the axe.
The city wants to abolish its policy committee and major projects and finance committee from January 1, 2027, with their responsibilities to be taken over by the entire council.
It believes the changes would improve planning processes and reduce delays caused by matters having to wait for committee meeting cycles.
Under the current process, the city said delays can affect its ability to meet statutory deadlines and maintain confidence in its planning system.
It also expects the changes to deliver cost savings.
“If council were to reduce the number of committee meetings, this would have a direct impact on reducing budget including such things as employee overtime costs, catering and printing costs,” they said.
The major projects and finance committee oversees the city’s annual capital works program and reviews its five-year capital works program.
It also makes recommendations to the council on major capital projects, service delivery standards and long-term financial planning, including the city’s 10-year strategic financial plan.
The policy committee makes recommendations to the council on developing and reviewing the city’s policies, local laws, planning matters and the strategic direction of its art awards, visual art collection and visual and performing arts programs.
Both committees have seven members, with the mayor and one councillor representing each ward.
Under the proposal, the council would keep its audit, risk and improvement committee and CEO performance review committee.
Members of the disbanded committees would be considered for appointment to the remaining two committees.
In a separate motion, Joondalup officers are proposing changes to how the public participate in during council meetings.
The changes include reducing deputation time from 15 minutes to five minutes, removing the requirement for speakers at meetings to state their full address, and removing the two-minute limit on public questions while retaining a limit of two verbal questions per person.
City officers said the changes “will bring the procedures in line with current legislation and operating practices.”
The city’s recommendation to disband the two committees and change its meeting procedures was discussed at a council agenda briefing on Tuesday, with a final vote expected at the October 27 meeting.