Cars, complaints and canals discussed at the Redland City Council meeting on 25 May 2016

Capalaba Sports Club is situated on Council owned land Photo: Google Maps

A general meeting of the Redland City Council on 25 May dealt with minor issues and housekeeping including:

• Policy for expenses reimbursement and facilities (cars) for councillors
• Policy for handling complaints about councillors
• Reconfiguration of a block of Council owned land in Capalaba

Here is a link to the Council’s meeting minutes.

You can watch what happened at the meeting on this video recording.

Expenses reimbursement and facilities (cars)

Councillors unanimously adopted a revised policy dealing with reimbursement of expenses and provision of facilities.

Under the revised policy councillors will be able to have a fully maintained council vehicle instead of claiming mileage allowances.

More information is set out in this Bulletin report.

Handling councillor complaints

Councillors voted to adopt a revised policy on handling councillor complaints. The notable change was introduction of a preliminary step in the process requiring councillors to discuss any issues between themselves before making formal complaints. The officers report stated:

In order to improve the efficient use of resources for managing complaints by one councillor against another, it is recommended that the Guideline contain a clause requiring a councillor to have attempted and failed to have the matter resolved informally with his/her colleague prior to lodging formal complaint. This may involve discussion with other colleagues at a Mayor/Councillors meeting.

This requirement would not apply to allegations of corrupt conduct, which must be reported to the CEO immediately.

It’s understood that during the previous Council’s term of office many complaints against conduct of councillors were lodged anonymously by other councillors.

The motion was carried 10/1. Cr Paul Gleeson was the only councillor to vote against the motion.

Reconfiguration of Council owned land in Capalaba

Council discussed a proposal to subdivide a 4.479 hectare block of council owned land in Capalaba at 1-21 Degen Road.

The site currently accommodates the Capalaba Sports Club, Cerebral Palsy League and an area of Open Space. The reconfiguration would ensure that the separate land uses are each appropriately managed within their designated areas.

The minutes record that “Cr Gleeson declared a perceived conflict of interest in the following item, stating that he is a member of Capalaba Sports Club and his house sits nearby the address in this item. Cr Gleeson chose to remain in chambers and vote in the best interests of the community.”

The motion was carried 10/1. Cr Paul Gleeson was the only councillor to vote against the motion.

Raby Bay Ratepayers Association budget submission

During the public participation section of the meeting representatives of the Raby Bay Ratepayers Association discussed their budget submission to council. Details of the submission are discussed in this Bulletin report.

Redlands2030 – 29 May 2016