Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor Peter Flannery asks councillors to turn down pay rise
After a lengthy voting process the new Moreton Bay Regional Council has elected its new deputy mayor. Council has also adopted a new meeting process and the Mayor plans to ask councillors to turn down a payrise. FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG HERE:
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The newly elected Moreton Bay Regional Council will hold its first meeting today. On the agenda is the selection of a new deputy mayor, a proposal for councillors to reject a 2 per cent pay rise and approval of a new meeting structure.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions councillors are split between the Strathpine and Caboolture chambers and are connected via video-link. The meeting is closed to the public but is being live-streamed.
Early changes to the meeting structure adopted for today’s meeting include the introduction of a Welcome to Country and a general prayer instead of the Lord’s Prayer, previously recited at every meeting.
LIVE BLOG:
Deputy mayor
This will be the first time the voting process for deputy mayor will be conducted in a public arena.
A secret ballot will be used to determine the winner.
The votes will be counted by the CEO in the Strathpine chamber and the deputy CEO in the Caboolture chamber.
Cr Constance was knocked out in the first round. Councillors have been asked to vote again for either Cr Hain, Grimwade or Sims.
CEO Greg Chemello said after a second round of counting Cr Sims was still in the vote.
Councillors have now been asked to vote for either Cr Hain or Grimwade to remain in the vote for deputy mayor.
Councillors will now have to decide between Cr Sims and Grimwade.
After counting Cr Sims has been announced as the new deputy mayor for the Moreton Bay Regional Council – the first female deputy mayor for the council.
Mayor’s first speech
“We meet in extraordinary times,” Cr Flannery said.
“And I’m sorry we can’t all be together in one chamber as we write this new chapter in Moreton Bay’s history.
“But getting on with the job and doing whatever it takes, is more important than any convention or procedure right now.
“Now it’s the responsibility of Moreton Bay Regional Council to help our region overcome a pandemic and overcome the economic challenges ahead.
“I don’t look out today and see two chambers divided by distance or technology. I see 13 people united in unwavering passion and determination.
As a leader I pride myself on integrity, honesty and teamwork.
“I will rely on the experience of the six returning councillors to provide advice and stability.
“I will look to our six new councillors for fresh ideas, energy and community insight.”
Cr Flannery said in coming weeks he would move a motion asking for councillors to turn down the proposed 2 per cent pay rise. He also raised a 10-point plan to get the region through COVID-19.
1. I propose we all reject the recommended pay increase for councillors at this time.
2. We should immediately activate the Moreton Recovery Group to provide real time and expert external advice on the challenges we face and what’s needed in our communities.
3. We must start work now on a second COVID-19 Stimulus Package to assist local businesses and residents through the uncertain financial times ahead.
4. We need a new Economic Development Strategy finalised within the first 100 days.
5. Similarly, the beneficial Enterprise to guide the use of council-owned land at The Mill site must be established within first 100 days, to start the important work of attracting business investors and helping to drive economic recovery.
6. We need to rework our Planning Scheme to meet the expectations of locals, by implementing neighbourhood plans tailored to the unique qualities of our many distinct communities across Moreton Bay Region.
7. And in the interim we must protect our communities from unplanned development, by enacting a Regional Growth Management Strategy to strategically sequence development at a pace our region can absorb.
8. In recent years we’ve achieved record growth in tourism visitation and expenditure, so we need to take that to the next level by partnering with Moreton Bay Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) and the private sector to unlock a new wave of tourism infrastructure investment.
9. We need to continue our advocacy work for revised Koala Mapping. I propose that we embark on an Environmental Land Buy Back Program. So that council can own and manage key green corridors across our region.
10. Finally, we must complete the important internal work of implementing all the recommendations in the Grassroots Review to ensure Moreton Bay Regional Council is a modern, outcomes-forced workplace.
Deputy Mayor
Newly elected Deputy Mayor addressed the councillors and Mayor. She said the new council represented a new opportunity and a chance for fresh ideas.
She reminded councillors that their communities had elected them because it trusted them to make the best decisions for the community.
“Sometimes the decisions will be tough – but they believe you have the skills and ability to represent them to the fullest,” Cr Sims said.
New meeting structure
Councillors vote din favour of adopting a new meeting structure for the next four years.
Meetings will now be held fortnightly, instead of weekly, on a Wednesday from 9.30am.
Meetings will be rotated between the Caboolture and Strathpine Chambers.
At least once every four months a meeting will be held at another location within the Moreton Bay Region – in conjunction with a meet the councillors event.
Council’s first meeting will be held on May 13 at Strathpine.
Delegated decisions committee
Councillors voted in favour of establishing a delegated decisions committee – a practice adopted by the previous council.
Audit committee
Cr Constance put his hand up to be one of the three members on this committee. Cr Flannery had to nudge others to nominate. Cr Jodie Shipway and Cath Tonks took up the offer. Three external members will also need to be appointed – this will be done via expressions of interests.
The Audit Committee meetings will be held on a Thursday at the Council’s public office in the Strathpine Chamber at 1pm.
Appointment of portfolios
Council voted in favour of adopting a new Councillor Portfolios Roles and Responsibilities Policy. The appointment of the Portfolio Councillor will be considered at a subsequent meeting.
General business
Cr Hain congratulated Cr Sims on her appointment as Deputy Mayor and said he was excited by what this new council had the potential to achieve.
EARLIER:
Normally the first meeting of a new council is reserved for electing a deputy mayor, deciding meeting structures and portfolios but Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new mayor plans to ask all councillors to turn down the recommended 2 per cent pay rise.
Moreton Bay Regional Council is expected to hold its post-election meeting at 10am today.
Councillors will be in different chambers and connected via video link – it will be live-streamed for the community to see.
LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MORETON COUNCIL MEETING HERE FROM 10AM
The Herald understands Cr Flannery intends to put a motion to all councillors, as part of a broader 10-point plan, asking them to reject the recommended pay increase for councillors at this time.
“Now it’s the responsibility of Moreton Bay Regional Council to help our region overcome a pandemic and overcome the economic challenges ahead,” Cr Flannery said.
“Every day I drive past Centrelink I’m reminded that there are plenty of locals who don’t have the luxury of a job right now, let alone the luxury of a pay rise.
MEET THE NEW LOOK MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
“So, I state for the record that I will be moving a motion that we reject the 2 per cent pay increase recommended for mayors and councillors.
“This isn’t politicking, it’s simply the right thing to do.”
The increase was recommend in the Local Government Remuneration Commission’s Report.
It states the mayor of Moreton Bay is entitled to $233,091, the deputy mayor $161,499 and councillors $141,520.
Moreton Bay Regional Council’s 2018/2019 annual report stated the mayor was paid $223,821, the deputy mayor $155,075 and councillors $135,891.
So if the majority vote in favour of the mayor’s motion today – Cr Flannery would stand to turn down an extra $9270. The deputy mayor $6424 and councillors $5629.
It follow the previous council holding a special meeting to adopt a $15 million stimulus package.
Check back at 10am for our live coverage of the new Moreton Bay Regional Council’s first meeting.
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