MINUTES
Ordinary Meeting of Council
Tuesday, 22 February 2022
09:00am
Regional Office - 29 Crawford Street, Katherine
VICTORIA DALY REGIONAL COUNCIL DISCLAIMER
No responsibility is implied or accepted by the Victoria Daly Regional Council for any act, omission or statement or intimation occurring during Council or committee meetings.
The Victoria Daly Regional Council disclaims any liability for any loss whatsoever and howsoever caused arising out of reliance by any person or legal entity on any such act, omission or statement or intimation occurring during Council or committee meetings.
Any person or legal entity who acts or fails to act in reliance upon any statement, act or omission made in a Council or committee meeting does so at that person’s or legal entity’s own risk.
In particular and without detracting in any way from the broad disclaimer above, in any discussion regarding any planning application or application for a licence, any statement or intimation of approval made by any member or officer of the Victoria Daly Regional Council during the Course of any meeting is not intended to be and is not taken as notice of approval from the Victoria Daly Regional Council.
The Victoria Daly Regional Council advises that anyone who has any application lodged with the Victoria Daly Regional Council shall obtain and should only rely on WRITTEN CONFIRMATION of the outcome of the application, and any conditions attaching to the decision made by the Victoria Daly Regional Council in respect of the application.
Russell Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
MINUTES
Ordinary Meeting of Council
Tuesday, 22 February 2022
09:00am
Regional Office - 29 Crawford Street, Katherine
MEETING OPENED
The meeting opened the time being 09:04 am
PERSONS PRESENT
ELECTED MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor (Chair) Brian Pedwell
Deputy Mayor Shirley Garlett
Councillor Georgina Macleod
Councillor Yvette Williams
Councillor Andrew McTaggart
STAFF PRESENT
Chief Executive Officer Russell Anderson
Director of Operations Matthew Cheminant
Director of Corporate Services Trudy Braun
Manager of Executive Services Michelle Will (minute taker)
Executive Services Officer Rupak Halwai
Timber Creek COM Jocelyn Moir
GUESTS
Sian Powell Australian Electoral Commission
Christine Francis Australian Electoral Commission
APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Nil
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST – COUNCILLORS AND STAFF
Deputy Mayor Shirley Garlett declared a conflict of interest for supplementary confidential item ‘Local Authority Nominations’. The nature of the conflict is that one Timber Creek nominee is a close family member.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Action Item: Senior Finance Accountant to action resolution 023/2022 – allocation of $31,762.50 from reserve funds, for March/April budget review.
CALL FOR ITEMS OF GENERAL BUSINESS
march meeting dates
councillor williams – powerwater grant opportunity
deputy mayor – timber creek round-up
deputy mayor – walga conference
councillor mctaggart – wooliana road
councillor macleod – kalkarindji daguragu update
councillor macleod – disaster relief fund
mayor pedwell – northern territory risk reduction program
MAYORAL REPORT
Meetings attended since the last OCM:
§ Meeting with Green Rivers Aboriginal Corporation General Manager, Wayne Buckley. Councillor McTaggart was also in attendance.
§ Meeting with Sun Cable. Councillor Williams was also in attendance.
§ Meeting with Jake Quinlivan and Amanda Haigh from the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet.
§ Meeting with CouncilBIZ.
Mayor Pedwell was on interview panel for:
§ Grants Manager position
§ Timber Creek Council Operations Assistant Manager position
Moved: Cllr McTaggart
Seconded: Cllr Macleod
Resolution: Carried
CEO REPORT
Cr Shirley Garlett left the meeting, the time being 09:38 AM
Cr Shirley Garlett returned to the meeting, the time being 09:40 AM
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1) |
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026/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Macleod Resolution: Carried |
REPORTS TO COUNCIL
Director of Corporate Services provided an update to Council.
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2) |
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027/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. Garlett Seconded: Cr. McTaggart Resolution: Carried |
Action Item: Local Authority funding to be included in Council Operations finance reports
PRESENTATION – AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION (AEC)
Australian Electoral Commission delegates, Sian Powell and Christine Francis, joined the meeting via Microsoft Teams, the time being 10:00am.
Items discussed
§ Upcoming elections
§ Remote teams deployment
§ Alternative models discussed, including polling via postal votes
§ Exceptions will be considered for circumstances where preferred method is not achievable
§ Preferred method ‘on the ground delivery’
§ AEC is promoting long term partnerships
§ Mayor Pedwell – process requires interpreters at polling booths
§ AEC recognises that improvements are vital
§ AEC recognises that it may seem that these issues are only highlighted prior to elections
The meeting adjourned for morning tea, the time being 10:30am
The meeting resumed, the time being 10:54am
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4) |
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028/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Garlett Resolution: Carried |
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5) |
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029/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. Polices are adopted · LGP016 Rate Concession · LGP022 Confidential Information Policy · LGP023 Extra Meeting Allowance Policy
Moved: Cr. Macleod Seconded: Cr. Garlett Resolution: Carried |
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6) |
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030/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. That Council resolve that all festivals and events have a volunteer committee to organise made up of volunteers and staff. C. That all insurance documentation is sent through to the Director of Corporate Service. D. That all risk assessments and Covid 19 Safety Plans are sent through to the Director of Corporate Services and Director of Council Operations.
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Williams Resolution: Carried |
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7) |
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031/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Macleod Resolution: Carried |
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8) |
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032/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. That Victoria Daly Regional Council as an aged care provider, apply on behalf of our eligible aged care workers for the ‘Aged Care Workforce Bonus’, in recognition of the significant commitment they have made to the care of our aged care clients on community during the pandemic.
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Williams Resolution: Carried |
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9) |
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033/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Garlett Resolution: Carried |
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10) |
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034/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. Garlett Seconded: Cr. McTaggart Resolution: Carried |
Action Item: Aged Care & NDIS Audit to be conducted every six months by external provider
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Fees and Charges review |
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035/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. That Council approves the hire costs for push mowers and brush cutters and rates for Supervisor, Skilled, Semi-Skilled and Unskilled labour (below) be included in the 2021/2022 Fees and Charges contained within the Victoria Daly Regional Council Regional Plan: Labour Inc GST § Unskilled Labour Hour $91.60 § Semi-Skilled Labour Hour $140.30 § Skilled Labour Hour $186.55 § Supervisor Hour $234.60
Moved: Cr. Macleod Seconded: Cr. Williams Resolution: Carried |
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Amendments to LGP025 VDRC Delegation Manual 2021-2025 |
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036/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. That the amended LGP025 VDRC Delegation Manual 2021-2025 be adopted, with the following additional amendment: § p.9) ‘approve requests for filling positions within approved structure (within budget)’ § Mayor to be added to delegation schedule (p.27) in the Regional Managers bracket ($10,000)
Moved: Cr. Garlett Seconded: Cr. McTaggart Resolution: Carried |
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Action Items Report |
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037/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr. Macleod Resolution: Carried |
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Add Amanbidji to AI 374/2020 |
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Correspondence Report |
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038/2022 |
A. That Council accept the correspondence
Moved: Cr. Garlett Seconded: Cr. McTaggart Resolution: Carried |
The meeting adjourned for lunch, the time being 12:04pm
The meeting resumed, the time being 01:10pm
Timber Creek Council Operations Manager joined the meeting, the time being 01:12pm to discuss item 11.
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11) |
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039/2022 |
A. That this report is received and noted B. That Council approve utilising Timber Creek Local Authority funding for the Timber Creek Stage Upgrade.
Moved: Cr. Garlett Seconded: Cr. Macleod Resolution: Carried |
GENERAL BUSINESS
Action Item – Governance Manager to print A3 copies of risk matrix
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GB-20220222-2 Grant Opportunity - Councillor Yvette Williams |
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Discussions will take place with Contracts Manager and Pine Creek Council Operations Manager. |
The meeting adjourned for afternoon tea, the time being 02:03pm
The meeting resumed, the time being 02:24pm
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Members of the press and public to be excluded from the meeting of the Closed Session and access to the correspondence and reports relating to the items considered during the course of the Closed Session be withheld. This action is taken in accordance with Section 65(2) of the Local Government Act, 2019 as the items listed come within the following provisions:-
Moved: Cr. McTaggart Seconded: Cr Macleod Resolution: Carried |
12 Progress Report on Grant Applications - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (civ) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, subject to subregulation (3) – prejudice the interests of the council or some other person;.
13 Funding for construction of permanent VDRC regional office - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (civ) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, subject to subregulation (3) – prejudice the interests of the council or some other person;.
20 Local Government Priority Infrastructure grant, Yarralin staff housing project, interim acquittal and endorsement of variation request - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (civ) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, subject to subregulation (3) – prejudice the interests of the council or some other person;.
21 Local Authority Nominations - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (civ) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, subject to subregulation (3) – prejudice the interests of the council or some other person;.
Deputy Mayor left the meeting due to a conflict of interest, the time being 03:35pm. The conflict being that one nominee is a close family member.
Deputy Mayor returned to the meeting, the time being 03:42pm
14 Draft Burial & Cremation Bill - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (cii) (cii) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, be likely to prejudice the maintenance or administration of the law; AND information that would, if publicly disclosed, prejudice the maintenance or administration of the law; or.
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14) |
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A. That this report is received and noted
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COUNCILLOR MACLEOD PUT FORWARD MOTION B |
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053/2022 |
B. The draft Burial and Cremation Bill (2022) is unworkable and unattainable for Regional Councils and corporations without ongoing grant funding. With fees for burial services set at the amount to cover burial alone, leaves no margin for upkeep of infrastructure, record keeping and maintenance. Since 2008, Council has never charged for the digging of graves throughout the entire VDRC footprint. Council implores that ongoing funding is provided by the Northern Territory Government to support the delivery of services as set out by the Draft Burial and Cremation Bill. Councils are currently the only service providers on the ground that communities rely on Moved: Cr. Macleod Seconded: Cr. Garlett Resolution: Carried |
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054/2022 |
That resolution [053/2022] be moved to open minutes Moved: Cr. Macleod Seconded: Cr. Garlett Resolution: Carried |
15 ICT Implementation Project Update - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (ci) (ci) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information that would, if publicly disclosed, be likely to cause commercial prejudice to, or confer an unfair commercial advantage on any person; AND information that would, if publicly disclosed,cause commercial prejudice to, or confer an unfair commercial advantage on, any person; or.
16 CEO Recruitment Proposal - The report will be dealt with under Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2019 (NT) where meetings of Council are to be closed where confidential business is being considered. Pursuant to regulation 51(1) (a) (a) of the Local Government (General) Regulations 2021, this report contains information about the employment of a particular individual as a member of the staff or possible member of the staff of the council that could, if publicly disclosed, cause prejudice to the individual; AND information about the employment of a particular individual as a member of the staff or possible member of the staff of the council that could, if publicly disclosed, cause prejudice to the individual.
CEO Anderson left the meeting while Council addressed item 16, the time being 05:06pm
The Ordinary meeting of Council was closed by the Mayor at 05:20pm
NEXT MEETING
The next Ordinary General Meeting of Victoria Daly Regional Council will be held 31 March 2022.
This page and the preceding 11 pages are the minutes of the Meeting of Ordinary Council held on Tuesday, 22 February 2022.
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Mayor Brian Pedwell