AN urgency motion calling on the NSW Government to review new restrictions on councillors has been passed by Port Stephens Council, with elected representatives arguing the changes are making it harder to make informed decisions.
The motion centres on the NSW Government’s updated Model Code of Meeting Practice, which governs how councils conduct their business.
under the revised rules, councillors are no longer able to directly contact council staff about matters listed on a meeting agenda.
Instead, requests for information must be channelled through the Mayor.
Supporters of the motion say the change delays access to important information needed to assess complex reports and make informed decisions on behalf of the community.
The issue has already had an impact at Port Stephens Council, with councillors previously voting to shorten the public exhibition period for business papers because of the additional time required to obtain information under the new process.
Cr Mark Watson, who moved the urgency motion, said the changes have affected councils across NSW.
“We need to rally with other Councils that are in the same position to get that point across to the Minister; that maybe this isn’t a good idea,” Cr Watson said, proposing Council seek support from the state’s 127 other councils.
Mayor Leah Anderson agreed, describing the additional requirements as “a waste of time” that have increased workloads and created scheduling difficulties for councillors and staff.
“I go to State conferences, I go to national conferences, talking to other Mayors, Councillors and General Managers, and they all [feel] exactly the same,” Mayor Anderson said.
While all councillors agreed the Model Code warranted further review, they differed on whether the matter should be dealt with as an urgency motion.
Cr Giacomo Arnott unsuccessfully proposed delaying the discussion until next month’s meeting, saying councillors should be fully informed about the changes before “blindly attacking” the NSW Government.
Criticism has also been drawn to the wording of the motion, described as “inflammatory” by Cr Arnott and “loose and leading to misinformation” by Cr Roz Armstrong.
Cr Chris Doohan argued the strength of the language reflected the level of frustration felt by councillors.
Cr Watson agreed, saying the intention was to send a strong message to the NSW Government and “lead the way” for other councils seeking changes to the Code.
Despite previously criticising the new Model Code, Cr Peter Francis voted against the urgency motion, joining Cr Arnott, Cr Jason Wells and Cr Armstrong, who opposed dealing with the issue as urgent business rather than through the normal notice of motion process.
The motion nevertheless passed with the support of Cr Doohan, Cr Ben Niland, Cr Leah Errington, Cr Watson and Mayor Anderson. Council will now write to the NSW Minister for Local Government and seek support from councils across the state for a review of the new restrictions.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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