Councillor and meeting practices

In a lengthy report for the new Federation Council’s first monthly meeting, on Tuesday, October 22, General Manager Adrian Butler said the discussion paper has been prepared to seek the views of the community, key stakeholders and the local government sector about the proposed changes.

“The councillor conduct framework is under review to ensure that it delivers on the need for transparency and ensures that councillors are visibly in control of their councils,” he said.

Two major changes proposed to Federation Council procedures and meeting times relate to moving the public forum to 9.00am on the meeting day with the Ordinary Meeting commencing at 10.00am and submissions required by 12 noon on the business day prior to the meeting.

Currently anyone seeking to address council and is approved to do so, addresses council on the day before, at 5.30pm; currently the monthly Tuesday meetings commence at 9.30am.

Changing the public forum to the same day as council meeting day would save council considerable travelling costs – if there’s an address to council.

Councillors considered, that after the total allowed half-hour (9.00am to 9.30am) for an address or addresses to council, there would be a half-hour informal discussion amongst themselves on any address before the meeting starts.

The Chronicle will formally seek to have the meeting’s time stay as it is, a 9.30am start as it has always been in respect of council meetings in Corowa.

We like to let our readers know quickly of some breaking news from council on the day the newspaper is going to print. Having 30 minutes less to do that would restrict or prevent any story meeting our Tuesday morning deadline and appearing in the same week’s newspaper.

Councils and anyone making submissions have until close of business on 15 November to make a submission.

Earlier in council’s last meeting, council resolved to have nine monthly meetings in Corowa and three meetings – March, July and November – in Urana. In order to save costs, Cr Derek Schoen wanted to see all meetings in Corowa unless there was a major item affecting Urana then a meeting could be scheduled accordingly.

Cr Schoen said as Corowa has the biggest population, more residents are likely to attend the public meetings if held in Corowa. Three residents attended the October meeting in Corowa.

Cr Pat Bourke argued that Urana is part of the shire. “In fact we used to have four a year,” he said. Deputy mayor Rowena Black wanted the locked-in 9:3 Corowa Urana venue situation instead of a “swapping and changing” scenario.