A resolution passed at November''s Ordinary Monthly Meeting of Armidale Regional Council formed a sub-committee of five Councillors to quickly establish the development of Armidale's hydrotherapy pool, will be the subject of a rescind motion at December's meeting
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State Government funding worth $1.093 million was committed to the program. At the meeting, Cr Di Gray revealed council could not afford its $394,000 contribution to commence project.
"I think it needs to be acknowledged that while we have the grant funding, we do not have the cash reserves, or the means, to do the co-contribution that's required for the hydrotherapy pool," she told the meeting.
In proposing an amendment to the agenda's recommendation, Cr Peter Bailey said a sub-committee of councillors needed to be formed to urgently look at the options to ensure the hydrotherapy pool went ahead as part of the Monkton Centre.
"And look at the options for an expanded and enlarged gym, a hydrotherapy pool of 25 metres, an option for outsourcing the management and operation of the complex," Cr Bailey said.
On Wednesday, December 4, Cr Gray expressed concern about the final wording of the resolution passed by council. She said because it could hold significant risk for the community and council she would move a rescind motion at December's meeting.
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She is worried the sub-committee's work will clash with council's operational expressions of interest process.
"It is the wording that is more of a problem than anything else, not the ideal or the intention behind it so much," she said.
"The unknown is what this committee is actually going to be doing because there were not any terms of reference developed to know what the jurisdictions of this committee will be.
"We need to make sure that this committee stays at that strategic and governance level, and not delving into any operational matters."
Cr Gray said, in the long run, it was to protect Councillors.
"Who knows what might come before council that we have to make a decision on," she said.
"We need to have all 11 councillors voting on any matter around the hydrotherapy pool in a way that is a positive outcome for the community.
"We need to be clear that this sub-committee is not at risk of creating a conflict of interest."
Deputy Mayor Libby Martin said she agreed with the rescind motion, and had a few issues with the original resolution.
"The terms of reference of what they want the outcome to be is too restrictive. I think with something this big, then it's up to the people who are interested in coming up with the ideas of what they may actually see the picture to be," she said.
Cr Martin said in the time taken to form the sub-committee, council could have an expression of interest out there, and she did not agree that it should consist entirely of councillors.
"I just think to get the opinions of all we have to open it up to everyone," she said.
"At this early stage I think it is important to have people who know what they are talking about in the process."