Ordinary Meeting Minutes

Held on Wednesday 13 September 2023

at Council Chambers, Biamanga Room Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre, Bega commencing at 2:00pm

Present Cr Russell Fitzpatrick, Mayor Cr Cathy Griff, Deputy Mayor Cr Tony Allen Cr Mitchell Nadin Cr Helen O’Neil Cr David Porter Cr Joy Robin – Virtual Cr Liz Seckold Cr Karen Wright

In Attendance Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McMahon Director, Assets and Operations, Mr Ian Macfarlane Director,  Community, Environment and Planning, Mrs Emily Harrison - Virtual Director, Business and Governance, Mrs Iliada Bolton Manager Communications and Engagement, Ms Kellie Dodge Executive Officer (Minute Secretary), Mrs Jackie Grant

Statement of Commencement of Live Streaming

The Mayor made an announcement about live streaming requirements:

Council meetings are recorded and live streamed to the Internet for public viewing. 

The recording will be archived and made available on Council’s website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of Bega Valley Shire

The Mayor commenced by acknowledging, On behalf of Bega Valley Shire Council, I would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands, waterways and airspace on which we are gathering.

Statement of Ethical Obligations

The Mayor and Councillors are reminded that they remain bound by the Oath/Affirmation of Office made at the start of the council term to undertake their civic duties in the best interests of the people of Bega Valley Shire and to faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in them under the Local Government Act or any other Act, to the best of their skill and judgement.

The Mayor and Councillors are also reminded of the requirement for disclosure of conflicts of interest in relation to items listed for consideration on the Agenda or which are considered at this meeting in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Code of Meeting Practice.

1.	Apologies
	There were no apologies.

1a	Cr Robin virtual attendance
135/23	RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Nadin and O'Neil That Cr Joy Robin be supported to attend today’s Ordinary meeting virtually. In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Nadin, Griff, Seckold, Allen, Porter, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against:                  Nil

2.	Confirmation of Minutes
136/23	RESOLVED on the motion of Crs Seckold and Griff That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 23 August 2023 as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed. In favour:             Crs Fitzpatrick, Nadin, Griff, Seckold, Allen, Porter, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against:                  Nil

3.          Declarations

There were no declarations of interest.

4.          Public Forum

There was no public forum.

5.                 Petitions

There were no petitions.

6.          Mayoral Minutes

There were no Mayoral minutes.

7.          Urgent Business

There was no urgent business.

8.          Staff Reports – Community, Environment and Planning

There were no Community, Environment and Planning reports.

9.          Staff Reports – Assets and Operations

There were no Assets and Operations reports.

10.        Staff Reports – Business and Governance

10.1

Election of Mayor

The Chief Executive Officer, as Returning Officer advised that he had received one formal nomination for position of Mayor, being: · Cr Russell Fitzpatrick      (Nominated Cr Fitzpatrick, seconded Cr Wright, accepted Cr                                                                   Fitzpatrick) The Returning Officer declared Cr Fitzpatrick for position of Mayor unopposed. Cr Fitzpatrick provided a statement to the meeting.         The Mayor assumed the chair at 2:06 pm

10.2	Election of Deputy Mayor
	A statement was made by the Chief executive Officer that Deputy Mayoral nominations were received from: · Cr Cathy Griff                    (Nominated Cr Seckold, Seconded Cr O’Neil, Accepted Cr Griff) · Cr Karen Wright               (Nominated Cr Wright, Seconded Cr Fitzpatrick, Accepted Cr Wright) A motion was moved by Cr O’Neil and Griff 1.    That Council resolve to elect a Deputy Mayor until 14 September 2024. 2.    That the election of Deputy Mayor for the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024 proceed as outlined in the report with appropriate resolutions. 3.    That the election of the Deputy Mayor for the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024 proceed by voting by way: ·    open voting by way of show of hands 4.    That each Deputy Mayoral candidate is provided the opportunity to speak to their         nomination for five minutes with the order of speakers to be based on the order in which         the nominations were received. 5.    That all nomination papers (and ballot papers – if ballot papers have been used) used in connection with the election of the Deputy Mayor for the period ending September 2024 be destroyed. 6.    That the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government and the Chief Executive of the         Local Government NSW be advised of the result of the election of the Deputy Mayor for         the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024. The motion was put to the vote and it was CARRIED In favour:             Crs Griff, Seckold, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against:                  Crs Fitzpatrick, Nadin, Allen and Porter Cr Griff provided a statement to the meeting. Cr Wright provided a statement to the meeting.
137/23	RESOLVED on the motion of Crs O'Neil and Griff 1.    That Council resolve to elect a Deputy Mayor until 14 September 2024. 2.    That the election of Deputy Mayor for the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024 proceed as outlined in the report with appropriate resolutions. 3.    That the election of the Deputy Mayor for the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024 proceed by open voting by way of show of hands. 4.    That each Deputy Mayoral candidate is provided the opportunity to speak to their         nomination for five minutes with the order of speakers to be based on the order in which         the nominations were received. 5.    That all nomination papers (and ballot papers – if ballot papers have been used) used in connection with the election of the Deputy Mayor for the period ending September 2024 be destroyed. 6.    That the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government and the Chief Executive of the         Local Government NSW be advised of the result of the election of the Deputy Mayor for         the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024. In favour:             Crs Griff, Seckold, O'Neil, Robin and Wright Against:                  Crs Fitzpatrick, Nadin, Allen and Porter The Returning Officer asked for open voting by way of show of hands for:         Cr Griff – Crs Griff, O’Neil, Porter, Robin, Seckold The Returning Officer advised that for the position of Deputy Mayor, Cr Griff was declared elected Deputy Mayor for the period 13 September 2023 until 14 September 2024.

11.        Councillor Reports

There were no Councillor reports.

12.        Rescission/Alteration Motions

There were no rescission/alteration motions.

13.        Notices of Motion

There were no notices of motion.

14.        Questions with Notice

There were no questions with notice.

15.        Questions without Notice

15.1	Cr Nadin asked can you advise council how many claims there are in the Bega Valley Shire and where they are?
	Cr Nadin advised last week it was revealed there are 40,000 land claims across NSW by indigenous land councils. Can you advise council how many claims there are in the Bega Valley Shire and where they are?  Chief Executive Officer Anthony McMahon advised there have been 741 claims in our shire since the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 commenced. Mr McMahon took where they are on notice.

15.2	Cr Nadin asked when is maintenance work on the concrete pavement of Merimbula bridge likely to take place?
	Cr Nadin asked when is maintenance work on the concrete pavement of Merimbula bridge likely to take place? Director Assets and Operations, Ian Macfarlane took the question on notice.

16.        Confidential Business

There was no confidential business.

17.        Noting of Resolutions from Closed Session

There was no noting of resolutions from closed session.

18.        Declassification of reports considered previously in closed session

There was no declassification of reports considered previously in closed session.

Closure

There being no further business, the Chairperson closed the meeting at 2:23pm.

Confirmed Russell Fitzpatrick
(digitally signed)

Chairperson of the meeting of the Bega Valley Shire Council held on Wednesday, 13 September 2023.