We’ve been waiting and waiting for the promised March appearance of the ‘review’ of the Local Law. Of particular interest will be: the fiddling with the ‘organised sport’ clause and the much awaited euphemistically called ‘tree register’ controls. More importantly we envisage that the meeting procedures aspects of the current anti-democratic law will largely remain untouched and buried in the publicity that will surround other aspects. In other words absolutely no intention of:
- Introducing a Notice of Motion
- Introducing a Dissent From Chair
- Introducing a Rescission Clause
If our suspicions prove correct, then it will be most interesting to hear the arguments of Pilling who is on record as supporting a Notice of Motion and some of the other councillors. Residents should also be prepared to highlight this ‘oversight’ in their submissions.
By way of contrast once again, here is what Kingston Council is contemplating for their Local Law Amendments for the above categories (UPLOADED HERE). We remind readers once again that Glen Eira is the ONLY COUNCIL IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA that does not have a notice of motion enshrined in its local law.
Glen Eira Debates 
June 3, 2013 at 9:46 PM
This is going to be a good test for the new councillors – Okotel, Sounness and Delahunty. Lobo will also be worth watching to see if they care about representing their electors or side with the ultra conservatives who only care about keeping things secret and keeping their control.
June 4, 2013 at 8:50 AM
Oh no not Notice of Motion again!!!! – Glen Eira Debates don’t you realize that this only provides Lipshutz with yet another opportunity to espouse the ridiculous notion that giving Councillors (ie elected representatives) the opportunity to raise issues (on behalf of their constituents) that have not previously been discussed (in camera) by the Administration and/or Councillors is paving the way for abuse. Lipshutz’s argument is that while he doesn’t believe this (or the immediate past Council) would abuse the Notice of Motion if it was re-instated, he is not sure about future Councils. Therefore he believes it should not be re-instated. His closing arguments ends in ÿou can “trust” us but you can’t “trust future Councillors”. A truly disgusting argument in it’s own right that becomes even more disgusting when one considers the control it gives both the Administration and the Gang (Lipshutz, Hyams, Esakoff and now Okotel).
Of course the disgust mentioned above is only magnified by the behaviour of the other 5 Councillors who, having listened to this appalling argument, always fail to mount a counter argument. Forget that no notion of motion restricts their ability to represent their constituents or that there are 9 Councillors, 8 of who can listen, assess and vote to amend, support or reject the motion in a frank and open Council discussion.
So please Glen Eira Debates don’t subject us to more of the Gangs (and in particular, Lipshutz’s) insufferable arrogance and disgusting arguments or the other 5 Councillors lack of intelligence, integrity and nous. This Council doesn’t give a hoot that it can’t deal with Notice of Motion but the other 69 Victorian Councils can. 4 Councillors and the Administration are into the control aspect and 5 others (only need one to swing for some vague political offering) don’t give a sh*t.