minutes for the special meeting of council ......minutes for the special meeting of council –...

Minutes for the Special Meeting of Council – Mount Alexander Shire Council – 8 November 2016 of 20

MINUTES

FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD ON

TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2016 COMMENCING AT 7.30 PM IN THE

COUNCIL CHAMBER, MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE CIVIC CENTRE

CORNER LYTTLETON AND LLOYD STREETS, CASTLEMAINE.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SWEARING IN OF COUNCILLORS 3

2. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON 4

3. PRESENT 4

4. APOLOGIES 4

5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST / CONFLICTS OF INTEREST 4

6. MAYORAL TERM 4

7. ELECTION OF MAYOR 5

8. MEETING CLOSE 6


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

To start the official proceedings I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Jaara country

of which the members and elders of the Jaara Jaara community and their forebears have been custodians for many centuries

and have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We acknowledge their living culture and their unique role in the life of this region.

The Chief Executive Officer welcomed guests to the Special Meeting, stating on behalf of staff at the Shire that they commit to delivering on Council’s commitments and supporting the Councillors in their roles over the next four years.

1. SWEARING IN OF COUNCILLORS

Election Results Council elections were held on Saturday 22 October 2016. The Calder and Loddon River Wards were uncontested, so elections were not held for those wards. The Victorian Electoral commission (VEC) conducted the elections, which were conducted by post. The results of the election were declared by the VEC Returning Officer at 10.00 am on Wednesday 2 November at the Civic Centre in Castlemaine. The results of the election, by Ward, were as follows: Calder Tony Cordy (unopposed) Castlemaine Bronwen Machin (1st elected) Robin Taylor (2nd elected) Tony Bell (3rd elected) Coliban Christine Henderson Loddon River John Nieman (unopposed) Tarrengower Sharon Telford Councillors Oath / Affirmation of Office Councillors took the Oath or Affirmation of Office before the Chief Executive at this Special Meeting of Council. The Chief Executive Officer called Councillors forward to take the Oath or Affirmation of Office and date and sign the declaration. The signed and dated Oath or Affirmation of Office form part of the Minutes of this Meeting as required by the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act). Councillors declaration to abide by the Code of Conduct Councillors made a declaration that they have read and agreed to abide by the Code before the Chief Executive at this Special Meeting of Council. The Chief Executive Officer witnessed the signed declaration. The signed and dated declarations to abide by the Code of Conduct are attachments to these Minutes.


2. APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON

The Chief Executive Officer called for nominations for the position of Temporary Chairperson, in accordance with the Meeting Procedures Local Law (No.1 of 2008). MOVED COUNCILLOR MACHIN That Councillor Henderson be nominated as the Temporary Chairperson. Councillor Henderson accepted the nomination. THERE BEING NO FURTHER NOMINATIONS THE MOTION WAS CARRIED. Councillor Henderson assumed the Chair.

3. PRESENT

Councillors: Tony Bell, Tony Cordy, Christine Henderson, Bronwen Machin, John Nieman, Robin Taylor and Sharon Telford.

Officers: Chief Executive Officer (Darren Fuzzard), Director Corporate Support (Lucy

Roffey), Director Sustainable Communities (Vicky Mason) and Director Sustainable Development (Jason Taylor).

4. APOLOGIES

Nil.

5. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST / CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

6. MAYORAL TERM

Mayoral terms are usually for a period of one year, however under Section 71 (2) of the Act Council may resolve to elect a mayor for a term of two years. Council is not required to resolve on this matter, as if no resolution is moved then the mayoral term is for one year only. This item is included in the agenda to enable Council to consider the matter and to publicly determine the mayoral term.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council set the term for the incoming Mayor.

MOVED COUNCILLOR CORDY That the Mayoral term be set for a period of one year. SECONDED COUNCILLOR BELL CARRIED.


7. ELECTION OF MAYOR

The Temporary Chairperson called for nominations for Mayor. In accordance with the Act, the election of Mayor shall be by show of hands. In the case where an equal number of votes are recorded, the election shall be determined by lot, in accordance with the Meeting Procedures Local Law.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Councillor ................................... is elected Mayor of the Mount Alexander Shire Council for the Mayoral term.

COUNCILLOR MACHIN NOMINATED COUNCILLOR TELFORD AS MAYOR. COUNCILLOR CORDY SECONDED THE NOMINATION. Councillor Telford accepted the nomination. THERE BEING NO OTHER NOMINATIONS COUNCILLOR TELFORD WAS DECLARED THE MAYOR FOR MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE COUNCIL FOR THE MAYORAL TERM. The Mayor donned the Mayoral robe and medallion, assisted by Councillor Machin and Councillor Taylor and assumed the Chair. Councillor Telford gave the following acceptance speech.

I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their trust and belief that I have the ability to represent them and our ratepayers in a fair and meaningful manner.

It is appropriate to acknowledge the work of Councillors Redden and Cole, both of whom performed their service to the community with dedication and commitment. I hope they enjoy their retirement from public life.

I would particularly like to thank Councillor Henderson for the work she did last year as Mayor. The changeover of CEO was a particularly challenging time. The appointment of a CEO is the biggest decision a Council make. Christine showed strong leadership in the manner in which she lead the recruitment and appointment of Darren Fuzzard.

We have a strong leadership team and a CEO that is now embedded in his new role. It is with regret that we wish Vicky Mason congratulations on her appointment to the City of Greater Bendigo.

I have inherited a Council which has experience albeit some are a little rusty, congratulations to you all. I am hoping that we will be able to get into the business of Council immediately. I am keen to commence the process of developing our Council Plan which is a team effort and if it is to be a meaningful project we will need the involvement of as many ratepayers as possible. We need the ratepayers to give us a clear direction so that we can start to deliver your projects in a timely fashion.

The next twelve to eighteen months will see substantial change to the Local Government Act and Council will need to be ready for these changes and committed to implementing them. With this in mind I look forward to the year


ahead. We should be ready to get up and get going. Delivering the best we possibly can and meeting the needs of our communities and our shire in a well considered timely manner.

Councillor Henderson congratulated Councillor Telford on her election as Mayor, noting that Councillor Telford’s period as Deputy Mayor and that the skills and experience she brought to the role, together with her strong contacts in the sector, would stand her in good stead. Councillor Henderson stated that she looked forward to working under the new Mayor’s leadership.

8. MEETING CLOSE

Meeting closed at 7.50 pm. GUESTS WERE INVITED TO REMAIN FOR REFRESHMENTS.

minutes for the special meeting of council ......minutes for the special meeting of council –...

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