Pratico's push for secrecy

In January, President Pratico finally came up with an idea, and put a motion before Council.  As comets are sighted more regularly than motions put by Cr Pratico, I was interested to see what it was.

So what did he come up with? I should have guessed…  A proposal to take some of the deliberations of Council behind closed doors.  More secrecy!

His motion: That the CEO investigate and report back to the March 2014 Standing Committee,the feasibility of introducing an Informal Session prior to each Council meeting

whereby authors of Agenda Items would be available to answer questions on the

‘background information’ contained in the reports, to allow Councillors to make

informed decisions during meetings.

What Pratico wants is a private discussion between the councillors to sort out any issues about motions before Council, so that the motions flow smoothly through the Council meeting, which is open to the public and minutes are taken.

Pratico claimed he was taking this action because new councillors were not familiar with procedures which allow them to ask questions during Council meetings.  So why doesn’t he, as presiding officer, simply make sure all the councillors are familiar with the rules and procedures?

The CEO rightly pointed out that the proposal was contrary to the spirit and intent of Local Government rules which say that all deliberations of Council should be carried out in public, so that electors and ratepayers can see how decisions are reached.

His background to councillors said: “it is noted (on page 06 of the “Local

Government Operational Guidelines Number 05 – Council Forums”) that:

 “Anecdotal evidence suggests that in discussing the agenda of the forthcoming

meeting at such forums, implied decisions may be made. This familiarity with the

issues and known attitudes can lead to debate at the ordinary Council meeting being

stifled, or non-existent, much to the chagrin of the public who are not privy to the

earlier discussions. Forums held immediately prior to ordinary Council meetings

cause more complaints of secret meetings and pre-determined decisions than any

other type of forums”.

It is the intention of the Act that Councils conduct business,

and make decisions in a manner that is open and transparent…,” the CEO noted.

So faced with a half-assed suggestion from Pratico, along with a pathetic  justification, against clear advice from the Department of Local Government that arranging these kinds of hidden deliberations was unwise and improper, how did the councillors vote...?

The motion was carried, 5 votes to 4.  Crs Pratico, Hodson, Boyle, Mackman and Nicholas voted for secret Council meetings. Crs Wilson, Moore, Scallan and Quinby voted against the motion.