MINUTES OF General Meeting

 

Held at Council Chambers, HORNSBY

on Wednesday 8 April 2015

at 6:36PM

 

 

 

 

PRESENT

Councillors Russell (Chairman), Anisse, Azizi, Browne, Cox, Gallagher, Hutchence, Singh and Tilbury.

Note: Councillor Anisse arrived at 6.42pm prior to consideration of Apologies/Leave of Absence.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

OPENING PRAYER

Pastor Peter Mbakwe, from Awesomerock Church, Hornsby, opened the meeting in prayer.

 

Acknowledgement of RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Statement by the Chairman:

"We recognise our Shire's rich cultural and religious diversity and we acknowledge and pay respect to the beliefs of all members of our community, regardless of creed or faith."

 

ABORIGINAL RECOGNITION

Statement by the Chairman:

"We acknowledge we are on the traditional lands of the Darug and Guringai Peoples.  We pay our respects to elders past and present."

 

AUDIO RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETING

Statement by the Chairman:

"I advise all present that tonight's meeting is being audio recorded for the purposes of providing a record of public comment at the meeting, supporting the democratic process, broadening knowledge and participation in community affairs, and demonstrating Council’s commitment to openness and accountability.  The recordings of the non-confidential parts of the meeting will be made available on Council’s website once the Minutes have been finalised. All speakers are requested to ensure their comments are relevant to the issue at hand and to refrain from making personal comments or criticisms.  No other persons are permitted to record the Meeting, unless specifically authorised by Council to do so.”

 

APOLOGIES / leave of absence

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR HUTCHENCE, seconded by COUNCILLOR BROWNE,

THAT the apology and request for leave of absence from Councillor Berman in respect of an inability to attend the General Meeting on 8 April 2015 be accepted and leave of absence be granted.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

political donations disclosure

Statement by the Chairman:

“In accordance with Section 147 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, any person or organisation who has made a relevant planning application or a submission in respect of a relevant planning application which is on tonight’s agenda, and who has made a reportable political donation or gift to a Councillor or employee of the Council, must make a Political Donations Disclosure Statement.

If a Councillor or employee has received a reportable political donation or gift from a person or organisation who has made a relevant planning application or a submission in respect of a relevant planning application which is on tonight’s agenda, they must declare a non-pecuniary conflict of interests to the meeting, disclose the nature of the interest and manage the conflict of interests in accordance with Council’s Code of Conduct.”

 

declarations of interest

Nil

 

confirmation of minutes

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR BROWNE, seconded by COUNCILLOR TILBURY,

THAT the Minutes of the General Meeting held on Wednesday 11 March 2015 be confirmed, a copy having been distributed to all Councillors.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

petitionS

Nil

 

presentations

Nil

 

Rescission Motions

Nil

 

Mayoral Minutes

Nil

ITEMS PASSED BY EXCEPTION / CALL FOR SPEAKERS ON AGENDA ITEMS

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED his intention to deal with the balance of the Business Paper by the exception method and announced the items.

Item 6 was withdrawn for discussion.

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT the recommendations in respect of Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 be adopted.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

Note: Item 8 was called over and noted.

For the sake of clarity, the above items are recorded in Agenda sequence.

Note:  Persons wishing to address Council on matters which were on the Agenda were permitted to speak, prior to the item being discussed, and their names are recorded in the Minutes in respect of that particular item.

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

Office of the General Manager

Nil

 

Corporate Support Division

1                 CS6/15        Review of Policies and Codes - General Manager's and Corporate Support Divisions

(F2015/00029)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT Council adopt the recommendations contained in the table in Deputy General Manager’s Report No. CS6/15 in respect of each of the current policies under the jurisdiction of the General Manager’s and Corporate Support Divisions.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

2                 CS9/15        Operational Plan (including Budget and Fees and Charges) for 2015/16 - Adoption of Draft Documents for Public Exhibition

(F2014/00562)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT:

1.         Council adopt for public exhibition and make available for public comment from 9 April to 8 May 2015, the draft Operational Plan 2015/16 which includes the draft Budget, Fees and Charges and Rating Structure for 2015/16, as well as the revised capital works program for the remaining six years of the 10 year Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal special rate variation infrastructure program.

2.         Council note that the rating information contained in the draft Operational Plan 2015/16 is in line with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s approval for NSW councils (i.e. a 2.4% rate increase for 2015/16).

3.         Following the public exhibition period, and before 30 June 2015, a further report be prepared for Council’s consideration which provides details of any submissions received and recommends the adoption of a final Operational Plan 2015/16, including, the Budget, Fees and Charges and Rating Structure for that year.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

3                 CS10/15      Investments and Borrowings for 2014/15 - Status for Period Ending 28 February 2015

(F2004/06987)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT the contents of Deputy General Manager’s Report No. CS10/15 be received and noted.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

 

Environment and Human Services Division

Nil

 

Planning Division

4                 PL26/15       Development Application - Boundary Amendment to a Two Lot Strata Subdivision - 1/59 and 2/59 Denman Parade, Normanhurst

(DA/1250/2014)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT Council assume the concurrence of the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment pursuant to Clause 4.6 of the Hornsby Local Environmental Plan 2013 and approve Development Application No. DA/1250/2014 for an amendment to the boundaries of a two allotment Strata subdivision at Lot 2 SP 22308, Nos.1/59 and 2/59 Denman Parade, Normanhurst subject to the conditions of consent detailed in Schedule 1 of Group Manager’s Report No. PL26/15.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

5                 PL25/15       Design Excellence Planning Proposal - After Exhibition

(F2014/00312)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT:

1.         Council forward the Design Excellence Planning Proposal attached to Group Manager’s Report No. PL25/15 to the Minster for Planning for finalisation pursuant to Section 59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

2.         Submitters be advised of Council’s decision.

3.         Council engage the following consultants to form its Design Excellence Referral Panel:

a)         Brett Newbold Urban Planning

b)         DEM (Aust) Pty Ltd

c)         GMU – Urban Design and Infrastructure

d)         Johannsen and Associates

e)         LFA

4.         Unsuccessful consultants be advised of Council’s decision and thanked for their submission.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

Infrastructure and Recreation Division

6                 IR5/15         Epping Aquatic Centre

(F2004/08950-02)

Mrs Johanna Deller, of Cheltenham, addressed Council regarding this item.

Ms Janet McGarry, on behalf of Save Epping Pool Group, addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr Peter Michie, on behalf of Save Epping Pool Group, addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr John Coyne, on behalf of Epping RSL Youth Club, addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr Brian Berry, on behalf of Epping Civic Trust, addressed Council regarding this item.

Ms Helen Sim, of Epping, addressed Council regarding this item.

Dr Megan Phelps, of Epping, addressed Council regarding this item.

Mrs Karen Michie, of North Epping, on behalf of Save Epping Pool Group, addressed Council regarding this item.

Mr Ronald Leslie, of Waitara, addressed Council regarding this item.

 

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR HUTCHENCE, seconded by COUNCILLOR COX,

THAT:

1.             Council note the structural issues described in Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IR5/15 leading to the likely permanent closure of Dence Park Pool.

2.             Council note that the land known as Dence Park was obtained and developed into an aquatic facility by Council with community support.

3.             Council note that the land has a restriction on title which requires the site to only ever be used for public recreation.

4.             Council confirm its commitment for the site to only be used for public recreation.

5.             Council defer consideration of the recommendation in Deputy General Manager’s Report No. IR5/15 until the 10 June 2015 General Meeting to allow the community more time to read and respond to the content contained within the Report and attachments.

6.             The Deputy General Manager Infrastructure and Recreation prepare a report for Council’s consideration at the 10 June 2015 General Meeting addressing:

a)             The implications (including cost) of keeping Epping Pool open from October 2015 to March 2016 inclusive until a decision on a new aquatic facility is made and discussed with the community.

b)            Confirmation of the capacity of nearby swimming pools to accommodate groups displaced by a closure of Epping Pool.

c)             Confirmation of travel times by various modes to each of the other nearby aquatic facilities.

d)            How Council would work with the key user groups to find alternative options in the event of a closure of Epping Pool.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

 

7                 IR10/15        Recreation and Open Space

(F2012/00706)

RESOLVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR Browne, seconded by COUNCILLOR Gallagher,

THAT Council:

1.         Note the findings of the draft Active Living Hornsby Strategy (ALHS).

2.         Endorse placing the draft ALHS on public exhibition with a response to the exhibition to be reported back to Council.

 

FOR:                COUNCILLORS ANISSE, AZIZI, BROWNE, COX, GALLAGHER, HUTCHENCE, RUSSELL, SINGH AND TILBURY

 

AGAINST:         NIL

  

PUBLIC FORUM – NON AGENDA ITEMS

Nil

 

Questions of Which Notice Has Been Given

Nil

 

Mayor's Notes

8                 MN4/15        Mayor's Notes - 1 to 31 March 2015

(F2004/07053)

Thursday 5 March 2015 – The Mayor attended Asquith Girls High School International Women’s Day Breakfast at the School.

Friday 6 March 2015 – The Mayor attended the Korean Friendship Dinner for Lunar New Year 2015 at Se Jong Korean BBQ Buffet Restaurant in Carlingford.

Saturday 7 March 2015 – The Mayor and Councillors Azizi, Browne, Hutchence and Gallagher attended Cherrybrook Movies Under the Stars at John Purchase Oval, Cherrybrook.

Tuesday 10 March 2015 – The Mayor attended Westleigh Progress Association’s Annual General Meeting at Thornleigh West Public School.

Tuesday 17 March 2015 – The Mayor, Deputy Mayor Councillor Singh and Councillor Gallagher hosted three Citizenship Ceremonies in the Council Chambers.

Thursday 19 March 2015 - The Mayor welcomed seniors to the Healthy Living Festival and Seniors Week screening of the Second Best Marigold Hotel at the Event Cinema in Hornsby.

Saturday 21 March 2015 – The Mayor attended the Ku-ring-gai Netball Association Grand Final at South Turramurra.

Tuesday 31 March 2015 – The Mayor and Councillor Gallagher hosted three Citizenship Ceremonies in the Council Chambers.

CALLED OVER AND NOTED

 

Notices of Motion

Nil

 

MATTERS OF URGENCY

Nil

 

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Nil

 

THE MEETING terminated at 7.44pm.

 

These Minutes were confirmed at the meeting held on Wednesday 13 May 2015, at which meeting the signature hereunder was subscribed.

 

 

 

CONFIRMED                                                                                 CHAIRMAN

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