Gosford Council has rejected proposed changes to the delegations of the CEO which would have given him authority to determine any application irrespective of value and objections received, provided such application was in accordance with council’s policies.
The CEO is able to determine applications below $15 million providing there are no more than five unresolved submissions received objecting to the proposal. The report to council by the director governance and planning said that the current restrictions means determinations of matters are delayed pending consideration by council.
“In keeping with the council’s tag ‘Open for Business’, residents and ratepayers would be better served if the general manager could determine all applications that are in accordance with council policies,” states the report. Councillors voted unanimously for the decision to “make no alterations to the delegations of the CEO”.
Cr Vicki Scott spoke against the recommendation from the director and said she was “really surprised” when she read of the proposal to change the CEO’s delegations. “I only saw this on the agenda, like the rest of the members of the public; that was the first time I saw it.” She said it was a “threat to democratic integrity” and it would be a “sad day” if it ever happened. “Councillors are elected by the community and have a responsibility to represent the interests of the community.
“The general manager was not elected to represent the interests of the community. “I understand it’s about streamlining processes, but this would be at a cost of representation to the public. “We wouldn’t be needed,” said Cr Scott. Cr Chris Burke echoed Cr Scott’s sentiments. “I believe it is in our democratic right to represent the people and I don’t want that right taken away,” said Cr Burke. Cr Hilary Morris said giving the CEO authority to make such decisions “would have removed the opportunity for the elected representatives of Gosford citizens to consider developments which might be controversial”.
“The Greens see the attempt to remove discussion from the public arena of the council chamber to behind closed doors as the same ideology as the State Government’s proposed but rejected planning laws. “The Greens congratulate all the councillors present for standing up for the local community against this erosion of democracy.”
Gosford Council Agenda
GOV.14, 24 Jun 2014
Kaitlin Watts, 24 Jun 2014
Media release,
25 Jun 2014
Hillary Morris, Central
Coast Greens