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Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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Lower grant for ‘activist group’ A REDUCED grant has been approved for the Kingston Residents Association after councillors postponed a decision on whether to hand over $200 of ratepayers’ money to the community group. Some councillors at May’s public council meeting expressed concerns about Quick Response Grant funds being given to a residents group that may oppose council decisions (‘Grant response not so quick’, The News 11/5/16). The KRA had initially applied for a $2000 grant to print and mail out its newsletters but council officers recommended the grant should be re-
duced to $200. At the subsequent council meeting councillors unanimously backed the grant bundled in with a notice of motion to also give grants to Griefline Family and Community Services ($500), St Andrews Calisthenics ($500) and Aspect Autism Spectrum Australia ($500) but Cr Paul Peulich again expressed reservations about the KRA grant. “It’s OK to go against council decisions but in this case it’s clear for local political purposes,” Cr Peulich said. “It’s more of an activist organisation due to its membership … it should not
rely on ratepayers’ funds.” In 2013 the KRA became embroiled in a legal stoush between Cr David Eden and former Mordialloc Liberal MP Lorraine Wreford. Ms Wreford claimed in Parliament that the KRA is a Labor Party front “propped up” by ratepayers’ funds. She apologised to Cr Eden after he began defamation proceedings over comments made about his donation of $1500 to the KRA from the since axed councillor discretionary ward funds program. The legal proceedings were halted after the apology. Neil Walker
State open on plan to reshape councils THE state government has released a discussion paper which includes "giving stronger powers to the Minister for Local Government to deal with individual councillors who compromise council governance". The paper, released on Friday by Local Government Natalie Hutchins, follows a series of community forums and consideration of 300 submissions. The proposals also include mayors having two-year terms and greater powers. Councils would also be required to be more transparent in the hiring of CEOs, their pay and conditions. The CEO is the only executive appointed directly by councillors – the CEO is oversees for all other staffing appointments. The discussion paper also suggests: n Consistency in council electoral
structures, the number of councillors and wards. n Putting communities at the centre of shaping council plans by requiring councils to undertake community engagement, such as using citizens juries. n Removing the requirement for nonresident property owners to vote. n Making voting rules consistent and providing the option for electronic voting for council elections in 2020 n Giving stronger powers to the Local Government Minister to deal with councillors who compromise council governance n Improving transparency of CEO pay, recruitment, conditions and performance n Having one land valuation system for levying rates.
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Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
15 June 2016