Governance

The role of Council is to govern the Shire of Mingenew’s affairs and is responsible for the performance of the local government’s functions. The Local Government Act 1995, subsidiary legislation and other written law guides Councillors and Shire employees in their performance of their role. As such, this page provides information on a number of Governance functions to assist in informing the community and meeting its statutory obligations.

Local Laws

A local government may make Local Laws under the Local Government Act 1995 to enable a local government to effectively and efficiently perform its duties and functions. This allows a local government to meet the local community needs that may not already be provided for under the Act or any other written law.

Current Local Laws

Standing Orders Local Law 2017

Cemeteries Local Law 2017

Local Law Review

Local Governments are required to undertake a review of its local laws periodically, at least every 15 years. The Shire underwent a Local Law Review in 2017 and resolved to repeal a number of outdated Local Laws that are obsolete due to changes in legislation and adopt a suite of new Local Laws.

The making of local laws (including replacing and repealing) is a highly prescriptive, costly and time intensive exercise that involves suitable stakeholder engagement and advertising. The Shire of Mingenew has adopted two new local laws since the review and is working towards implementing the remaining recommendations of the Review in 2021.

Conduct

The Shire of Mingenew is committed to delivering excellence in customer service that reflects the Shire’s Values and upholds the principles of good governance. To manage Councillor and employee conduct, the Shire has in place a number of guiding documents that outline expected behaviour and conduct.

Code of Conduct

Employee Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for Council Members, Committee Members, and Candidates

Customer Service Charter

Shire of Mingenew Customer Service Charter

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Dealing with Complaints

Code of Conduct Behaviour Complaints Management Policy

In accordance with s.5.121, the Shire of Mingenew maintains a Complaints Register which records all complaints resulting in a finding (s.5.110(2)) that a minor breach has occurred.

A council member commits a minor breach if the council member —

(a) contravenes a rule of conduct; or

(b) contravenes a local law under this Act, contravention of which the regulations specify to be a minor breach.

The Complaints Register can be viewed by clicking on the link below

Complaints Register

Freedom of Information

Freedom of Information gives the public a right to access government documents, subject to some limitations. In Western Australia, under the Freedom of Information Act 1993 (FOI Act), the right applies to local governments, including the Shire of Mingenew. Documents available under the FOI Act include paper records, plans and drawings, photographs, tape recordings, films, video files or information stored in computerised form.

The Shire of Mingenew Information Statement is reviewed and published annually, as required by the FOI Act which provides information about the Shire and how members of the public can access information through usual means or make an application under the FOI Act.

For advice or further information on FOI and the types of documents held by the Shire, please contact the Shire on 9928 1102 or email enquiries@mingenew.wa.gov.au.

Shire of Mingenew Information Statement

FOI Process

Registers

The Shire of Mingenew maintains a register of Councillor attendance at Council meetings and committees to ensure compliance with s2.25 of the Local Government Act 1995.

LEGEND | X – Attended Meeting E – Attended by electronic means (approved) A – Apology L – Leave of Absence granted N/A – not required to attend

Council Meeting	Cr GJ Cosgrove	Cr JD Bagley	Cr HR McTaggart	Cr AR Smyth	Cr JR Holmes	Cr AT Pearse	Cr RA Starick	Cr NE Obst
19 Feb 25	X	X	X	X	X	A	X	-
19 Mar 25S	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	-
30 Apr 25	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	-
18 Jun 25	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	-
16 Jul 25S	X	A	A	X	X	X	A	-
20 Aug 25	X	X	X	X	X	X	A	-
17 Sep 25S	X	A	X	A	X	X	A	-
15 Oct 25	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	-
28 Oct 25S	-	A	X	-	X	-	X	X
19 Nov 25	-	E	X	-	X	-	X	X
10 Dec 25	-	E	X	-	X	-	X	X
18 Feb 26	-	X	X	-	X	X	X	X

The CEO is required to publish a report on the training completed by council members in a financial year, within 1 month of the end of the financial year, as per s5.127 of the Local Government Act 1995.

LEGEND | (M) – Mandatory Training (E) – Elective Training (P) – Progressing or Date completed

Training Course	Cr GJ Cosgrove	CR JD Bagley	Cr HR McTaggart	Cr AR Smyth	CR JR Holmes	CR AT Pearse	Cr RA Starick
Serving on Council (M)	Completed 8 Feb 22	Completed 8 Feb 22	Completed 17 Oct 20	Completed 8 Feb 22	Completed 8 Feb 22	Not commenced	Completed 13 Nov 23
Understanding Local Government (M)	P	Completed 28 Jul 20	Completed 17 Oct 20	P	Completed 4 Sep 22	Not commenced	Completed 13 Nov 23
Meeting Procedures (M)	P	P	Completed 17 Oct 20	P	Completed 4 Sep 22	Not commenced	Not commenced
Conflicts of Interest (M)	P	P	Completed 17 Oct 20	P	Completed 4 Sep 22	Not commenced	Not commenced
Understanding financial reports and Budgets (M)	Completed 9 Feb 22	Completed 9 Feb 22	Completed 17 Oct 20	Completed 9 Feb 22	Completed 9 Feb 22	Not commenced	Not commenced
CEO Recruitment (O)	–	–	Completed 3 Apr 25	–	Completed 3 Apr 25	–	Completed 3 Apr 25

Last updated 10 July 2025

Council’s Delegation Register is reviewed and updated at least once each financial year, in accordance with s5.18 and s5.46 of the Local Government Act 1995. The Register outlines the delegations made from Council to the Chief Executive Officer and Committees, and the Chief Executive Officer to other staff.

Delegations Register adopted 18 June 2025

In accordance with Division 6 of the Act, a member of Council or employee must disclose the nature of any interest in certain matters e.g. that are to be discussed at a council or committee meeting or when performing a function or duty under delegated authority.

2020 Register of Interest Disclosures

2021 Register of Interest Disclosures

2022 Register of Interest Disclosures

2023 Register of Interest Disclosures

2024 Register of Interest Disclosures

2025 Register of Interest Disclosures

Date of Meeting	Minute Book Item No	Date of Disclosure	Name of Person Making Disclosure	Type of Interest	Nature / Extent of Interest	Participate in meeting Y/N
18 Feb 2026	11.1	18 Feb 2026	Cr JR Holmes	Financial Interest	Existing landowner agreement with proponent for gas well	N

Section 5.88 of the Local Government Act 1995 requires that a local government publish Primary and Annual Returns on its website. A Primary Return is a prescribed form that must be lodged within 3 months of a relevant persons start date. An Annual Return is a prescribed form that is to be completed by 31 August each year that is a statement of information based on the person’s circumstances for the previous financial year. The following elected members and employees have lodged a primary and/or annual return:

Cr HR McTaggart, Shire President

Cr JR Holmes, Deputy President

Cr JD Bagley, Councillor

Cr NE Obst, Councillor

Cr RA Starick, Councillor

Erin Greaves, Manager Governance & Community

Matt Fanning, Chief Executive Officer

Shane Noon, Works Manager

Helen Sternick, Manager Corporate Services

Under s5.89A of the Local Government Act 1995, a local government is required to keep a register of gifts and publish any disclosures on its website. In accordance with Regulation 28A of the Local Government (Administration) Regulations 1996, this version of the register does not disclose information about individuals’ addresses other than the applicable town or suburb included in the disclosure.

‘Nil’ disclosures as at 31 December 2025.

Gift Register

‘Nil’ disclosures as at 31 December 2025.

Electoral Gift Register

Council Policies

The Shire has developed policies that guide Administration and Council in implementing decisions of Council and efficiently managing resources and procedures for daily operations.

1.1.1 Elected Member Entitlements Policy (Dec 2023)

1.1.2 Elected Member Communications Policy (Dec 2023)

1.1.3 Communication between Elected Members and Staff Policy (Dec 2023)

1.1.4 Code of Conduct for Elected Members, Committee Members and Candidates (Dec 2023)

1.1.5 Elected Member Training and Professional Development Policy (Dec 2023)

1.1.6 Elected Member and CEO Attendance at Events Policy (Dec 2023)

1.1.7 CEO Standards for Recruitment, Performance and Termination (Dec 2023)

1.1.8 Code of Conduct Behaviour Complaints Management Policy (Dec 2023)