A PROCEDURAL bungle at Wattle Range Council’s budget adoption meeting resulted in elected members having to return to the chamber to revoke and revote on the 2018/19 annual business plan.
After a mistake in formal meeting procedures at last Tuesday’s council meeting, council met again on Thursday following legal advice indicating the adoption of the plan was
not in accordance with legislation.
A staff report said legal advice had further recommended council revoke the adoption of the business plan from the June 26 meeting to formally endorse the document again.
The original motion, moved by Councillor Peter Dunnicliff at Tuesday’s meeting, was to adopt the 2018/19 annual business plan with an amendment to the professional boat ramp fees from $665 to $250.
Cr John Drew moved an amendment to the motion for council to allocate $100,000 to begin work on a shopping precinct rejuvenation for Millicent and host consultation between council, business owners and property owners to explore ideas.
Mr Gandolfi, who is a business owner in Millicent’s central business district, declared a material conflict of interest and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion, with Deputy Mayor Rob Dycer taking the chair.
While Cr Drew’s amendment was seconded, it was not voted on following the debate despite regulations requiring the chair to call for a vote on amendments.
Another amendment to the original motion sought to withdraw funds allocated to council boundary signs, and an allocation for a new Nangwarry toilet was moved by Cr Dean
Burrow.
Legislation stipulates a second amendment cannot be dealt with until the first amendment has been voted on.
Cr Burrow’s amendment was voted on, but ultimately was lost.
The deputy mayor then put amendment one to the motion to the vote in isolation, which was carried.
On Mr Gandolfi’s reentry to the chamber, it was found elected members had not adhered to the correct meeting procedures.
Mr Gandolfi said a second special meeting was required to ensure the decisions made by council were done in a “lawful manner”.
Councillors passed a revised annual business plan and budget which included the proposed reduction in professional boat ramp fees to $250 and the $100,000 Millicent shopping precinct project at the Thursday meeting.
A bid by Kintore Ward Councillor Kevin McGrath to increase the boat ramp fees to $400 per year was rejected.
