Board meetings and decisions

• Your board must have a Board meetings and decisions policy that sets out how board meetings will be conducted and minuted and ensures that each board decision is valid and in the public interest.
• Your board’s policy should be consistent with the relevant DEECA model policy.

Standard for major agencies

Meetings and decisions - model policy - standard major (PDF, 1023.8 KB)
Meetings and decisions - model policy - standard major (DOCX, 627.3 KB)

Small committees of management

See the committees of management support module for small (category 3) committees of management of crown land reserves.

Templates

Agenda template - board meetings

The agenda template for board meetings is in Appendix 1 of the relevant model policy (above).

Minutes template - board meetings

The minutes template for board meetings is in Appendix 2 of the relevant model policy (above).

Guidance notes

An Overview – board meetings and decisions (major agencies)

• Easy-to-read overview of a board member’s obligations and good practice
• Include in induction kits for board members of major agencies
• Also helps experienced board members to stay up-to-date.

Meetings and decisions – overview – all major  (DOCX, 611.6 KB)
Meetings and decisions – overview – all major (PDF, 809.3 KB)

An Overview – meetings and decisions (small committees of management)

See the committees of management support module for small (category 3) committees of management of crown land reserves.

About the model policy

This explains why the model policy has certain wording and requirements.

Including tips on implementing the policy.

Meetings and decisions – about model policy – all major  (PDF, 773.8 KB)
Meetings and decisions – about model policy – all major  (DOCX, 680.1 KB)

Governance links

Related support modules

On Board has related support modules for DEECA board members, including:

• Code of conduct
• Conflict of interest
• Dispute resolution

Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC)

As part of its role in promoting good governance in the public sector, the VPSC issues the Directors’ Code of Conduct, which applies to board members.  It also publishes information on Meetings and reporting.

Watchdog agencies

As part of their watchdog role, the Victorian Ombudsman, the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO), and the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) also promote a high standard of public sector governance. For further information see the Integrity complaints  support module.

For example, some reports published by the Ombudsman and VAGO investigate whether board decisions are being made in the public interest.  Other agencies may find these reports useful reading.

Background information

What laws and other obligations apply?

Governance obligations in relation to board meetings and decision-making include:

• section 81(1)(h) of the Public Administration Act (PAA)
• duties of directors (board members) in section 79 of the PAA
• Directors’ Code of Conduct, which reinforces the public sector values in section 7 of the PAA
• any specific requirements in your agency's establishing Act (or terms of reference).