In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.
Minutes:
In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.
QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL
QUESTION 1
In accordance with Governance Rule 59.10, Stan Giles read their Question to Council
Stan Giles of Monbulk asked;
When, exactly, will the security guards at council Meetings be removed, and the barrier in the chamber taken down. If this will not happen what is the Business Case to justify the continued drain on Ratepayers, and the ROI that we can see in transparent Council paperwork and where will we find it?
Ben Waterhouse, Acting Director Corporate Services
Thank you, Stan, and thank you for coming in attendance this evening as well.
Council takes the health and safety of staff councillors, and community members with the utmost seriousness. So the return on investment or the benefits are reflected in the safe and respectful environment of council meetings which we all enjoy this evening, which is a fundamental responsibility of council, the engagement of external security in the installation of the security barrier, as you pointed out for public meetings, is a standard operating procedure to help ensure Council meets its obligations to conduct an orderly and safe meeting.
I can confirm that there are no plans to remove the Security Guards or the barrier at this stage.
The utilization of security, and the barrier is approved within management and executive oversight, including business case consideration at the time of which it was implemented.
Thank you Stan.
QUESTION 2
Karen Duke of Warburton asked;
Could 'no standing' signs please be put on the residential side of Dammans Road and up the residential side streets off Dammans Road in Warburton as soon as possible. I know that for years residents have requested this by various council project managers that have included our community development officer, WMBD officers, and council planners.
Nothing has happened or got done. It is a major safety hazard having vehicles parked on both sides of Dammans Road and up the side streets. There is no possible way for emergency services to get through or for residents to go about their daily lives being blocked in and out of their homes.
Could 'no standing' signs be put up as soon as possible before more visitors come to an overcrowded area as this is happening now and an ongoing concern of residents.
Hjalmar Philipp, Director Built Environment and Infrastructure
Thank you very much for your question, and sharing your observations of parking in that area.
Your request for the installation of no stopping signage on Dammans Road and its side streets has been forwarded to our Traffic Engineering Team for further investigation, and a team member will contact you this week to discuss the matter in more detail.
Thanks again.
QUESTION 3
Anonymous asked;
Community would like to know why the council agenda is not up online on the YRC website until late Friday night or the Saturday morning only a few days before the council meeting. It has been like this for a few months.
It is meant to be up a week before the meeting. Online it says Pre-agenda that will not open.
Then the actual agenda is only available very late to view. This is not enough time for the residents and community to view, respond or become involved in what council will be discussed at meetings.
Could council please clarify this?
Ben Waterhouse, Acting Director Corporate Services
Thank you for your Question.
As set out in the Yarra Ranges Council Governance Rules, agendas must be available for all Council meetings a minimum 48 hours prior the meeting.
Whilst it is always Councils priority to have the agendas available on the Thursday morning prior to a Council Meeting, this is not always possible.
There were minor delays in finalising business papers for the agenda for tonight's Council Meeting, and as such the agenda was not published on Thursday as preferred.
This agenda was however available to the public last Friday 6th December. This timeline still allowed community members time to view the agenda and business papers for several days prior to tonight’s meeting. Thank you.
SUBMISSIONS TO COUNCIL
Recycling Laptop for Schools Program
Ray Cooper provided Councillors with an update on his Recycling Laptop for Schools Program and sought support from Council.
The Mayor referred the matter to the Chief Executive Officer for further investigation.
Vertical Fiscal Imbalance
Tony Stevenson raised concerned with Councillors regarding the fiscal imbalance faced by Council due to State and Federal Government obtaining majority of revenue, which impacts on Council’s ability to meet the needs of community.
The Mayor referred the matter to the Chief Executive Officer to investigate adding to Council’s Advocacy Agenda.
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Supporting documents: