Armidale Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Susan Law, and council senior staff, came under fire at council's ordinary meeting on Wednesday, February 26, when a motion to reduce discretionary delegations was put forward. Mrs Law has authority to accept tenders up to the value of $500,000, a figure set and resolved on January 18 2017 by council administrator Ian Tiley. RELATED READING: The Motion said Crs Margaret O'Connor and Debra O'Brien wanted the figure reduced to $100,000. According to Cr O'Brien it provided more transparency. Perhaps it was the presence of about 10 council senior staff members sitting along one wall in support of their CEO, nevertheless, it was a surprise when she said; "I'd like to move a procedural motion, that this item be moved to the March meeting," she said. Have your say: Click this link to send a letter to the editor. It was seconded by Cr O'Connor, but with Cr Andrew Murat absent from the meeting, a five all vote on the motion to defer the item was possible and did occur. Cr O'Brien seemed surprised by the outcome and contested the count, which saw mayor Simon Murray call for a division and then declare the motion to defer lost. Having dealt with the procedural motion Cr Murray called for mover and seconder the original motion. "I move that this motion should be withdrawn," said Cr O'Connor, it was seconded by Cr O'Brien and the procedural motion to withdraw was adopted. Cr Murat's absence from the meeting created an even number of councillors, and did leave opportunities for deadlocked numbers to be decided by the chair. It should also be remembered that because this motion was withdrawn and not defeated it can be moved again at a future meeting when the numbers are perhaps a little better. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE ARMIDALE EXPRESS TO ACCESS ALL THE NEWS
RESPONSIBILITY: Armidale Regional Council CEO Susan Law has a delegation figure of half a million dollars, while many other council CEO's enjoy the convenience of twice that amount.
Armidale Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Susan Law, and council senior staff, came under fire at council's ordinary meeting on Wednesday, February 26, when a motion to reduce discretionary delegations was put forward.
Mrs Law has authority to accept tenders up to the value of $500,000, a figure set and resolved on January 18 2017 by council administrator Ian Tiley.
The Motion said Crs Margaret O'Connor and Debra O'Brien wanted the figure reduced to $100,000. According to Cr O'Brien it provided more transparency.
Perhaps it was the presence of about 10 council senior staff members sitting along one wall in support of their CEO, nevertheless, it was a surprise when she said;
"I'd like to move a procedural motion, that this item be moved to the March meeting," she said.
It was seconded by Cr O'Connor, but with Cr Andrew Murat absent from the meeting, a five all vote on the motion to defer the item was possible and did occur.
Cr O'Brien seemed surprised by the outcome and contested the count, which saw mayor Simon Murray call for a division and then declare the motion to defer lost.
Having dealt with the procedural motion Cr Murray called for mover and seconder the original motion.
"I move that this motion should be withdrawn," said Cr O'Connor, it was seconded by Cr O'Brien and the procedural motion to withdraw was adopted.
Cr Murat's absence from the meeting created an even number of councillors, and did leave opportunities for deadlocked numbers to be decided by the chair.
It should also be remembered that because this motion was withdrawn and not defeated it can be moved again at a future meeting when the numbers are perhaps a little better.
