By Jenel Hunt
The letter saga continues for the Southern Downs Regional Council, with the 7 June special meeting including a motion to repeal a resolution to table a letter by the Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network on 29 March in relation to a meeting of the Granite Belt Alliance in March.
The letter was tabled by Councillor Cynthia McDonald via a procedural motion at the previous ordinary meeting of council on 24 May. This letter, along with draft minutes for an Alliance meeting that Cr McDonald pointed out had not been provided even though two months had elapsed since the meeting, has been the subject of repeated enquiries and angst at council meetings of late.
Cr McDonald had already been in hot water regarding the issue, which was in regard to a discussion about the Emu Swamp Dam at the Alliance meeting on 20 March.
Mayor Councillor Vic Pennisi advised that should the motion to repeal be successful, it was his intention to move that the letter from GBSAN not be received, but be referred to the Granite Belt Alliance for consideration at its next meeting.
Council Meetings Policy states that a councillor may table relevant correspondence (to the council) which must relate to strategic local government matters and that all operational matters would be dealt with in accordance with the council’s formal request processes.
It also states that where a councillor presents a correspondence to a meeting of council, no debate on or in relation to it shall be allowed and the only motion which may be moved is that the correspondence be received; or received and referred to an officer for consideration and a report to council; or not be received because it is deemed invalid by either the chairperson and/or the CEO.
Cr Pennisi said the Granite Belt Alliance held no statutory position, was not incorporated and did not have any strategic function in relation to the direct running of the council.
“This is not about transparency, as has been suggested on many occasions, or about what becomes public. This is about due process. The letter is not of any strategic nature and consequently should never have been tabled at a council meeting,” he said.
“I as Mayor or the CEO could have rightfully refused to accept the letter, however the motion was put as a procedural motion – and there is no debate in relation to a procedural motion.”
Due to lead times for printing requirements, the results of the motion and the possible subsequent motion will be reported in next week’s paper.
The agenda also carried a notice of motion by the Mayor asking the council to endorse his motion of confidence in, and support for, the SDRC management team, officers and staff.
“Owing to recent public criticisms aimed at our officers and staff, I have a genuine desire to also publicly demonstrate my support and respect – and that of the elected council – for the incredible work they do for our community,” Cr Pennisi said.
