Dear Beagle Editor,
It was reported in these pages this week that a current Eurobodalla councillor responded to a ratepayer's email asking if councillors and some staff, remembering they are employees to the shires rate paying residents have become very dictatorial. "Councillors and mayors operate as they see fit and have to answer to the community and The community will get to decide in 2020." With such a reply coming from a councillor it might be a good time to remind councillors, the mayor and the community of the oath they swore to. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING OF EUROBODALLA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2016
GMR16/024 OATH AND AFFIRMATION FOR COUNCILLORS File Ref: E06.0429
The General Manager advised of new requirements under the Local Government Act 1993, which require Councillors and the Mayor to make an Oath of Office, or Affirmation of Office. 16/259
MOTION Councillor Nathan/Councillor Pollock
THAT in accordance with Section 233A of the Local Government Act 1993, Councillors be invited to take either the Oath of Office or Affirmation of Office, before the General Manager, as outlined below:
Oath of Office:
I [name of councillor] swear that I will undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of the Eurobodalla and the Eurobodalla Shire Council and that I will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of my ability and judgement.
or 2. Affirmation of Office: I [name of councillor] solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of councillor in the best interests of the people of the Eurobodalla and the Eurobodalla Shire Council and that I will faithfully and impartially carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 1993 or any other Act to the best of my ability and judgement.
(The Motion on being put was declared CARRIED) `
The Mayor and Councillors individually read either the Oath or Affirmation as listed below, following which the Mayor invited the members of the new Council to say a few words and introduce themselves to the community.
The Mayor read the Oath of Office.
Councillor Lindsay Brown read the Oath of Office.
Councillor Anthony Mayne read the Oath of Office.
Councillor James Thomson read the Oath of Office.
Councillor Maureen Nathan read the Oath of Office.
Councillor Phil Constable read the Oath of Office.
Councillor Pat McGinlay read the Affirmation of Office.
Councillor Rob Pollock OAM read the Oath of Office. Obviously councillors have become confused with the part of the oath that says "in the best interests of the people of the Eurobodalla and the Eurobodalla Shire Council" A message to Councillors. it is not an and/or and you are not there to represent just the Eurobodalla Shire Council which is what you have been doing ensuring that it remains and US Vs THEM because you are failing to represent the the best interests of the people of the Eurobodalla. Councillors might like to revisit their Councillor Handbook The Act divides the role of a councillor into two broad categories: As an elected person to: - make decisions in the best interest of the whole community and not a particular interest group (Note that this could include council staff who have on many occasions shown opinion contrary to that held by the community) - represent the interests of all residents and ratepayers - provide leadership and guidance to the community - facilitate communication between the community and the council. A message to the Eurobodalla councillor that said "Councillors and mayors operate as they see fit and have to answer to the community and The community will get to decide in 2020."
You might think you can operate how you see fit. By the way how is that going for you so far? name and address provided and withhheld
