The council have resolved not to install a new recording system in the chambers.
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After receiving a quote of over $50,000 council decided it is not worth buying the equipment to record the meetings.
Cr Lyn Jablonski had her vote recorded against the resolution.
The council moved to reconsider its position to install a wired recording system in the council chambers, to accept a new public forum policy to amend the code of meeting practice.
The code of meeting practice will be placed on public exhibition.
To start the discussion Cr Les Lambert moved council to a committee as a whole.
“There are questions to be discussed,” he said.
General manager Jane Redden said they are trying to optimise the use of the council chambers.
The council currently have $48,000 allocated in their 2017/2018 budget for chambers upgrade and $30,000 allocated for replacement of recording and sound system equipment according to Mrs Redden’s notes in the business paper.
“The budget allocated is $30,000 for the purchase and installation of a wired recording system. A wired system will likely result in a less flexible modular furniture arrangement of the chambers,” she said.
“A wireless system is substantially more than the allocated budget.”
Mrs Redden explained this to council.
“If we get something wired (such as the audio system) means we can’t move furniture around,” she said.
“If we go down the wireless it can get up to $30,000 from memory.”
Whereas the recording system adds a lot more to the equipment budget. Mrs Redden reported the recording system needed a substantial upgrade.
“The most recent quote was for $51,000,” she told council.
Cr Lambert asked if a recording system was needed in the chamber.
“Peter Drew used to say all you need is this,” Cr Jablonski said as she held up her iPhone.
The General Manager said recording systems are a waste of money.
Cr James Craft and Cr Lambert moved the council out of committee as a whole.
“I move that council not install recording equipment in the chamber,” Cr Craft said, Cr Lambert seconded the motion.
Five people voted for the motion, Cr Jablonski had her vote recorded against.
The council then moved parts two and three of the resolution relating to the Public Forum Policy and the code of meeting practice.
The Public Forum Policy will go out on public exhibit for 28 days.
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
