Council Decided – 6 September 2022
Election of Deputy Mayor
Councillor Roy Bendall was elected unopposed to the position of Deputy Mayor for a twelve month term. Councillor Bendall previously held the position of Deputy Mayor from 2012 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2018, having been first elected to Mosman Council in 2012. Mayor Carolyn Corrigan congratulated Councillor Bendall on his election and also thanked Councillor Simon Menzies for his contribution to the role of over the past year.
Appointment of Independent Member – Audit Risk and Improvement Committee
Following a recent call for Expressions of Interest and interviews for short-listed candidates last month, Council resolved to appoint Mr Matthew Broom as the third independent member of Mosman’s Audit Risk and Improvement Committee for the term 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025.
Draft 2021/22 Financial Statements
Council resolved to adopt its Draft Financial Statements for the year ending 30 June 2022 and to refer the statements for audit in accordance with Local Government Act requirements. It was noted that a better than forecast result had been achieved for the year, with a progressive return to normal operations following COVID-19 disruptions and careful management of the pandemic’s serious financial impacts. Council’s performance against key financial performance indicators illustrates that it is in a sound financial position.
Code of Conduct Complaints
In accordance with the requirements of the Model Code of Conduct for Councils in NSW, a report was presented on the incidence of Code of Conduct complaints at Mosman Council for the period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022. This report noted that there were no Code of Conduct complaints about Mosman Councillors or the General Manager during the reporting period, nor were there any complaints received in the previous reporting period (2020/21).
Beach and Reserve Cleaning Contract
Council reviewed the first-year performance of contractors Wescon Group, engaged in October 2021 to undertake beach and reserve cleaning works on behalf of Council. Having regard to the contractor’s satisfactory performance against the relevant contract specification over that past year, it was resolved that the contract with Wescon Group be extended for a further six years until 30 September 2028.
Greater Cities Commission and City Plans
A report was presented to Council outlining the new Greater Cities Commission Act 2022, the functions and expanded jurisdiction of the new Greater Cities Commission and the timeline for preparation of new metropolitan plans (the Six Cities Region Plan and Eastern Harbour City Plan) that will apply to Mosman. These new plans are not likely to result in significant changes in future planning for Mosman, with the exception of actions relating to indefinite delays to the construction of the Northern Beaches Link Tunnel. The new requirement under the Greater Cities Commission Act 2022 to include targets for net additional dwellings for each local government area for the periods of 5, 10 and 20 years after the making of the plan, however, is a significant change in metropolitan planning more generally.
Boat Trailer Management
Council again considered the issue of appropriate trailer management in residential streets, noting action taken on the matter since 2017. It was subsequently resolved by Council that it continue to use the process detailed in the Public Spaces – Unattended Property Act to impound boat and other trailers as appropriate in response to customer requests or safety issues, and that where there is a congregation of trailers that impact on residential and commercial amenity, all available options be investigated including the implementation of parking restrictions. In relation to the current congregation of trailers at Mosman Bay, the 9 unrestricted parking spaces occupied by boat trailers will be converted to 4P (8.30am-6.00pm) and a report on other matters identified in the Mosman Bay parking review and the success of boat trailer management will be submitted to Council in six months’ time.