Gunnedah’s elected representatives are infuriated about the lack detail on new statewide changes proposed to the councillor conduct and meeting practice policy.
Such is their concern, councillors agreed to host a workshop next week before an extraordinary meeting immediately after to deal with the issue.
It follows the Office of Local Government’s (OLG) release of a discussion paper to all NSW councils which flagged potential changes to the policy.
These included changes to definitions and assessment of councillor misbehaviour, dispute resolution and the penalty framework.
Gunnedah council prepared a five-page response to the discussion paper, which among other issues, highlighted a “lack of clarity” how misbehaviour would be determined.
Council was also wary about further “cost-shifting” from the proposed establishment of a ”privileges committee’ which would investigate allegations of misbehaviour against councillors in New South Wales.
“The Discussion Paper notes that ‘The Privileges Committee process would be paid for by either individual councillors or their councils, dependent on the outcome.’ However, does not provide any level of detail on what the likely costs would be, or which outcomes would result in costs for council or councillors,” Gunnedah council’s submission stated.
“The revised framework appears to create further complexity and administration for councils, and likely increased costs, by introduction of the Local Government Privileges Committee. Gunnedah Shire Council would be seeking assurances that the overall changes proposed by the Dispute Resolution and Penalty Framework will not result in additional costs for NSW councils and individual councillors,” it added.
The submission paper also asked council if it held concerns about councillors undertaking real estate and development business activities.
Gunnedah council said any proposed changes would need to consider the scenario whereby potential future councillor candidates may have real estate and development business activities.
“Will they be able to stand for election if they do and, if so, what then happens if they are elected?” its submission questioned.
When questioned by elected representatives at Wednesday night’s November meeting about the lack of detail from the Office of Local Government, Gunnedah manager Eric Groth said they were concerns also held by council.
“We don’t see solutions in the discussion paper,” he said.
Councillor Robert Hoddle suggested to defer the decision on council’s submission until a workshop could he held, enabling elected representatives to provide further comment on council’s response.
Councillor McArthur also held concerns about the lack of detail from the OLG, and said more work is needed before council should commit to a response.
“I don’t know how we can vote on a subject we don’t have any information about,” Ms McArthur said.
Councillor Ann Luke signalled her intention to vote against the deferral. She believed enough work had been completed already by council for its response.
The deferral decision was voted on and agreed.
As submissions close on November 29 – Gunnedah councillors will reconvene early next week to deliberate further before holding an extraordinary meeting to decide on the matter.
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