By Bonny Burrows
Cardinia Shire councillors have voted to publicise their claimed expenses at their monthly meetings in a bid to further improve transparency.
Councillors’ travel allowances and other related expenses paid by ratepayers will now be public knowledge after Deputy Mayor Jodie Owen moved a motion at 19 June’s council meeting to share this additional information with residents.
Councillor Owen put forward that all councillors provide a brief report at each monthly meeting outlining any costs associated to attending a committee or meeting in official capacity.
While agreeing that the council was already “very transparent” with its community, she said had received some enquires from local residents who mistakenly “thought we only drive in our cars to this building”, and therefore her motion was needed.
“This is not only for residents to understand what we do as councillors, but also for us as councillors to have an understanding of what our fellow councillors do,” Cr Owen said.
The idea was supported by all councillors although Port Ward councillor Ray Brown argued that raising such motion at a public meeting was a “waste of valuable time”.
In all his years as councillor, he had never had one person query an expense, he said.
“I don’t know what the motive is behind this, but I’ll be voting for it because it happens now,” Cr Brown said.
According to a performance summary on the State Government’s Know Your Council website which was released in early June, Cardinia Shire Council is one of the most transparent in the state, with just 2.06 per cent of its decisions made in meetings that are closed to the public.
Across the state, an average of 11.57 per cent of council decisions were made behind closed doors during 2015/16.
Cr Owen said her purpose behind the motion was to increase residents’ trust in the council.
“This is so our community knows we’re being completely open and honest when it comes to claiming expenses,” she said.
“It’s the ratepayers’ money and they deserve to know we’re spending it appropriately.”
Community grants
Recipients of Cardinia Shire Council’s community capital works and major equipment grants will be announced on 5 July.
The 2017/18 round of the Community Capital Works Grants program received 39 applications from 36 community organisations, totalling $338,557.43 in grant funds.
According to the council, two organisations also applied for Major Equipment Grants with a total request of $8060 in grant funds.
Port Ward councillor Ray Brown described these grants as “the lifeblood of community groups” and an essential form of support to assist their operation.
The council will announce the successful applicants at a special grants evening.
Brakes on bike strategy
Cardinia Shire Council has deferred adopting its Pedestrian and Bicycle Strategy for another month.
At the 19 June council meeting, it was decided to hold off approving the document, which is a long-term “visioning strategy” that focuses on a proposed regional trail networks to link Cardinia’s townships and major recreation and tourism offerings.
Mayor Brett Owen said he had “a few issues” with the document that he wanted to flesh out before its approval, including a possible name change of the Emerald to Gembrook Trail.
The strategy will again be presented for adoption at the council’s next meeting on 17 July.
Casey-Cardinia libraries big vision
Cardinia Shire councillors have endorsed the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation Library Plan 2017-21 and draft budget for 2017/18.
The library plan establishes the direction for the development and improvement of the library corporation for the next four years.
Highlights of the draft plan include investment in information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance user experience, collaborations with organisations that also support literacy, and an increase in the hosting of events and performs to inspire creativity and learning.
During its endorsement, councillors thanked new Casey-Cardinia Library CEO Chris Buckingham for bringing new enthusiasm and a vibrant, inclusive planning process to the organisation.
The draft document will be reviewed by the council’s Chief Financial Officer before being presented to the library’s board for endorsement.
