Central Coast Council has changed its tune on the immediate future of its advisory committees.
News broke last week that Council had temporarily “paused” all Council advisory groups and committees that were not mandatory while a review requested by the Administrator Rik Hart was undertaken.
Community members volunteer to share their expertise on more than a dozen committees which advise Council on topics ranging from disability access and social inclusion to economic development and protection of the environment.
Individual members of committees received emails last week explaining the pause and a day later Council answered media questions confirming the pause while the review would examine the purpose and terms of reference of the committees.
The Status of Women’s Advisory Group (SOWAG) was told the practical implication of the pause meant that effectively the actions of the Advisory Groups have been placed on hold – not just meetings.
“Given that reality we will pause any follow-up from the International Women’s Day Forum for now until the review is finalised,” the members were told.
But later that day, Council had completely changed its story.
It announced a reprieve – at least temporarily – on the advisory committees.
“Central Coast Council Advisory Committees and Networking Groups will continue to function and operate while the discussion paper and review requested by the Administrator in February 2022 is undertaken,” the press release said.
“All advisory groups will run to the end of the current Council term.
“Meetings and engagement will continue to occur with the members of each of these groups,” the statement said.
It continued:
“Council acknowledges and appreciates the ongoing contribution of committee members in this space.
“The end of the Council term will be known following the announcement of the Local Government Election for the Central Coast Local Government Area, which is yet to be announced.”
Council apologised for the “human error” but did not elaborate.
Members of a variety of advisory committees who had spoken out at the original decision were pleased with the change of heart.
Groups such SOWAG, the Coastal Open Space System (COSS) and the Catchments to Coast advisory committee have continued to meet since Council has been under administration, while others were disbanded or amalgamated or changed into a networking group by interim administrator Dick Persson more than a year ago.
The networking group has never met; the playgroups working group hasn’t met in over a year and members of other groups say attending meetings has been hard with times being scheduled and then changed at the last minute.
The review is expected in a report to be tabled at the May meeting of Council.
Merilyn Vale