WARRNAMBOOL City Council has adopted changes to it’s meeting procedure local law, despite debate submissions had not been fully considered.
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The re-written law includes 28 new clauses, many required under changes to the Local Government Act. There are also changes to existing clauses.
Under the new laws a notice of motion will only be accepted if it meets a series of criteria.
The changes could see a notice rejected if it has been considered and rejected by council within the preceding six months, is deemed defamatory, is outside the powers of council or is too vague.
The previous law stipulated a notice previously debated and lost can be brought back to council after three months.
Two submissions were received, with were heard at a special meeting of council on April 18.
But Councillor Peter Sycopoulis asked who had considered the submission.
“My understanding is we had the presentation, but since then, council hasn’t considered it at all, we haven’t sat and discussed what was put to us,” he said.
“My question is who has considered this, because I certainly haven’t.”
Mr Anson said the city’s governance officer had looked at points raised, along with another council officer, and made minor variations to the law based on the outcome of the submissions.
“The opportunity to discuss the local law is placed before councillors this evening,” he said.
Cr Hulin said despite hearing from Mr Anson the council had considered submissions, he was not at the April 18 meeting, along with mayor Kylie Gaston and Cr Jacinta Ermacora.
“This is a stifling of my ability to serve the people of Warrnambool,” he said.
Cr Ermacora said the review and updated represented a strengthening of the council’s decision making process.
She highlighted changes to notice of motion regulations as a “good thing”.
“We have noting to be proud of being the second highest of notices of motion in Victoria,” Cr Ermacora said.
“The inspectorate has pointed out it’s not a reflection of good governance to be governing by notice of motion.”
Mayor Kylie Gaston said the changes apply to all seven councillors and, like the previous local law, remained silent on the opening prayer.