MOUNT Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin has rejected an attempt for the release of information about the Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub, saying the three elected members who called a special meeting “misinterpreted” procedure regulations.
Councillors Paul Jenner, Steve Perryman and Christian Greco called a special meeting on Tuesday night to request details on the tender outcomes for the $39.1m project and reasons for the tender deadline extension.
Ms Martin said the trio misinterpreted the application of the meeting procedure regulations, adding “I acted in the best interests of the community and council in handling the meeting during the middle of a tender process.”
When asked to refer under what section of the legislated procedure at meeting regulations had been misinterpreted, council referred to the motion sub-section, which says presiding members can refuse to accept a motion without notice.
The agenda and report recommendations – including two confidential items – was released prior to the meeting by council chief executive Andrew Meddle.
At the meeting, item author Cr Jenner sought support for Mr Meddle to provide a written report to elected members detailing why he has not advised the outcomes of the tender.
In a second agenda item, Cr Jenner requested Mr Meddle provide a “detailed written memo” explaining the reasons why council staff have extended the tender deadline on two occasions.
Cr Jenner also sought the details of who made the decision, under what delegated authority the decision was made and why a committee or council meeting was not called to deal with the issue of extending the tender timelines.
A third agenda item, also authored by Cr Jenner, requested Mr Meddle to distribute a memo to elected members providing a detailed written summary on a list of companies and tender prices received by council.
However, the summary listing of company names and tender prices, as well as the discussion, resolutions and minutes, was recommended to be kept confidential.
The report said the public release of the company names and tender prices would confer a commercial advantage to a person council is conducting or proposing to conduct business with or jeopardise the commercial position of council.
A second confidential item – titled “Request for verbal update – several matters” – was also considered to put council at a commercial disadvantage if discussed publicly.
Under state legislation, chief executives must call a special council meeting at the request of the mayor or at least three members of the council.
The chief executive must give each council member at least four hours notice before a special meeting and must make sure agenda items are described with “reasonable particularity and accuracy”.
Seven of the eight elected members attended Tuesday night’s special meeting, along with Mayor Martin, Mr Meddle and council staff.
