Special Council (Statutory) Meeting Election of the Mayor
Held in the
Council Chamber
Nunawading Civic Centre
379 Whitehorse Road Nunawading
on
Monday 29 October 2018
at 7:00pm
Members: Cr Blair Barker, Cr Bill Bennett, Cr Raylene Carr,
Cr Prue Cutts, Cr Andrew Davenport, Cr Sharon Ellis,
Cr Tina Liu, Cr Denise Massoud, Cr Andrew Munroe,
Cr Ben Stennett
Ms Noelene Duff
Chief Executive Officer
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Audio Recording of Meeting and Disclaimer Councillors and members of the public please note that in order to provide greater access to Council debate and decision making and encouraging openness and transparency:
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Whitehorse City Council
Special Council Minutes 29 October 2018
Meeting opened at 7.00pm
Present: Cr Barker, Cr Bennett, Cr Carr, Cr Cutts, Cr Davenport, Cr Ellis, Cr Liu,
Cr Massoud, Cr Munroe, Cr Stennett
CHAIRPERSON (PRO TEMPORE)
In accordance with Council’s Meeting Procedures and Common Seal Local Law 2013, the Chief Executive Officer Ms N Duff took the Chair as temporary Chairperson, up until the determination of Item 7 - Election of Mayor.
1 Prayer
(Read by temporary Chairperson)
1a Prayer for Council
We give thanks, O God, for the Men and Women of the past whose generous
devotion to the common good has been the making of our City.
Grant that our own generation may build worthily on the foundations they have
laid.
Direct our minds that all we plan and determine, is for the wellbeing of our City.
Amen.
1b Aboriginal Reconciliation Statement
“In the spirit of reconciliation, Whitehorse City Council acknowledges the
Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on. We
pay our respects to their Elders past and present.”
The temporary Chairperson, introduced Councillors and members of staff and welcomed members of the public in attendance.
3 Apologies
Nil
4 ADDRESS BY AND CONGRATULATIONS TO IMMEDIATE PAST MAYOR
4.1 Immediate Past Mayor Cr Andrew Davenport addressed the meeting and thanked family, colleagues, the Chief Executive Officer and staff for their support during his Mayoral term.
4.2 Councillors extended their congratulations and appreciation to Cr Andrew Davenport on his Mayoral year.
4.3 The temporary Chairperson, then made a presentation of a replica medallion to Cr Davenport, in recognition of his Mayoral term.
5 MAYOR AND COUNCILLOR ALLOWANCES
(Note: for Information only – No Council Resolution required.)
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held 20 March 2017, Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989, resolved to set the Mayoral and Councillor allowances for the period 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2021.
The Mayoral and Councillor allowances (subject to State Government adjustments) were set at $96,534 per annum, plus the equivalent of the superannuation guarantee contribution (currently 9.5%) for the Mayoral allowance and $30,223 per annum, plus the equivalent of the superannuation guarantee contribution (currently 9.5%) for the Councillor allowance. The Mayor also receives a fully maintained motor vehicle.
The latest State Government adjustments to take effect on 1 December 2018, will result in revised allowances of $98,465 and $30,827 per annum respectively.
6 TERM OF THE MAYOR
6.1 Before the election of the Mayor, Council must resolve the duration of the Mayoral term.
Section 71(2) of the Local Government Act 1989 allows Council to elect a Mayor for a term of two years.
Section 71(3) of the Local Government Act 1989 states that the Mayor is to be elected after the fourth Saturday in October but not later than 30 November in each year.
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
Moved by Cr Ellis, Seconded by Cr Bennett
That the Mayor to be elected at this meeting will hold the position of Mayor for a term of one year, until 28 October 2019.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7 ELECTION OF MAYOR
7.1 Voting for the election of Mayor, must be in accordance with Section 90 (1) (c) of the Local Government Act 1989, which states that voting must be by a show of hands.
7.2 The temporary Chairperson, then outlined the important role of the Mayor.
The Role of the Mayor
The Local Government Act 1989 defines the functions of Mayor.
The functions of the Mayor of a Council include:
- Providing guidance to Councillors about what is expected of a Councillor;
- Acting as a principal spokesperson for the Council;
- Supporting good working relations between Councillors;
- Carrying out the civic and ceremonial duties of the office of Mayor.
The role of Mayor as Chair of Council and community leader is crucial to effective relationships with the administration and to good governance. The Mayor should ensure good governance within Council, providing the base for sound strategy for the City.
7.3 The temporary Chairperson, called for nominations for the position of Mayor, for the Mayoral term as previously resolved by Council in Item 6.1.
There were four nominations for the position of the Mayor.
Cr Bennett nominated himself, seconded by Cr Cutts.
Cr Liu nominated herself, seconded by Cr Cutts.
Cr Carr nominated herself, seconded by Cr Stennett.
Cr Davenport nominated Cr Munroe, seconded by Cr Massoud
(Cr Munroe accepted the nomination)
7.4 Each candidate for Mayor (in order of nomination) was allowed three minutes to address fellow Councillors.
7.5 In accordance with Council’s Meeting Procedure and Common Seal Law 2013, Ms Noelene Duff acting as the Returning Officer then conducted the vote for the election of the Mayor for the 2018 - 2019 Mayoral term.
Following the vote, no candidate had received an absolute majority of votes and as one candidate Cr Liu had the lowest number of votes, was declared to be excluded from the vote.
The Returning Officer then conducted a vote for the remaining three candidates Cr Bennett, Cr Carr and Cr Munroe in the order of nomination.
Following the vote no candidate had received an absolute majority of votes and as Cr Carr had received the lowest number of votes, was declared to be excluded from the vote.
The Returning Officer then conducted a vote for the remaining two candidates Cr Bennett and Cr Munroe in the order of nomination.
Following the conduct of the vote, no candidate had received an absolute majority of votes and the two candidates Cr Bennett and Cr Munroe had tied on the number of votes.
The Returning Officer then conducted a draw by lot to exclude one of the candidates.
Following the conduct of the lot, Cr Bennett was deemed duly elected.
7.6 The Returning Officer congratulated Cr Bennett on his election as Mayor.
At this point, Cr Bennett briefly left the Council Chamber to be fitted with the Mayoral robe and medallion and then returned and assumed the Chair.
8 ADDRESS BY INCOMING MAYOR AND EXPRESSIONS OF CONGRATULATIONS BY COUNCILLORS TO THE NEW MAYOR
8.1 Address and expression of appreciation by incoming Mayor.
Cr Bennett thanked fellow Councillors for the opportunity and privilege of being elected Mayor. He further stated that the work of Council is a team effort, and that he would strive to promote a team approach during his Mayoral term, in continuing to deliver positive outcomes for the Whitehorse community.
8.2 Councillors then individually congratulated Cr Bennett on his election as Mayor.
9 CLOSE OF MEETING
Meeting closed at 7.55pm.
Confirmed this 19th day of November 2018.
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CHAIRPERSON