Local Planning Panel Reforms
On Friday 3 July Council was notified of newly gazetted legislative changes affecting the administration and operation of Local Planning Panels. These reforms were not subject to any community consultation, forming part of the Planning Acceleration Program implemented by the NSW Government to support the State’s COVID-19 economic recovery. Given the significance of these changes to the planning process Council unanimously resolved, in a response to a Mayoral Minute from Mayor Corrigan, to obtain a report from staff to ascertain the full extent and anticipated impact of the changes, with specific attention to the impact on Mosman residents.
Community Consultative Committees
Following a resolution of Council on 2 June 2020 and a subsequent Councillor Workshop, a report was presented to Council in relation to its Community Consultative Committees. Council adopted the recommendations presented in that report, including the formal discontinuance of the Friendship Cities Committee, a range of amendments to Committee Charters, a change to the tenure of Councillor representation on Committees, and amendments to the selection process for community representatives. Council also resolved to allow Consultative Committee meetings, previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to recommence with due regard for COVID-19 public health orders and social distancing requirements.
COVID-19 Update
Council received a further report regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and endorsed actions taken to date including the reopening of Council facilities, services and programs; continuance and changes to hardship arrangement; additional expenditures to assist with additional cleaning; and changes to governance arrangements and Council Meetings in accordance with Public Health Orders.
