I was stunned by this comment because councillors had just considered a mayoral minute which on occasions has up to 12 different items in it. This strikes me as a double standard as it seems to imply that what is good for the goose is not also good for the gander. Does this mean items submitted as notices of motion are less worthy for consideration under the rules of debate then the items submitted by Cr Gash in the mayoral minute? 

A motion is a proposal to be considered by council at a meeting. A motion formally puts the subject of the motion as an item of business for the council. A councillor can submit as many notices of motion as they wish provided they follow procedure.

These notices of motion are then debated and decided upon by the full council, a truly democratic process. The outcome of a successful notice of motion has a positive benefit to the community and improves the quality of life for the locality it is proposed.

Community Consultative Bodies (CCBs) are the residents’ way of submitting requests to council. Not everyone can attend CCB meetings and having councillors submit notices of motion provides residents with another avenue to send a proposal to council.

The notices of motion I have submitted have all come from proposals put to me while working in the community. They are representations of what the constituents would like to see improved in their community.

I once said to Cr Gash that if I wasn’t going to be allowed to participate (attend the Team Gash meetings in the Mayor’s office) that I would find ways to participate. In this regard I have been submitting approximately three notices of motion each month for the purpose of making a contribution to improving Ward 3. For doing this I have been accused of being parochial and not considering the bigger picture. 

While submitting unlimited numbers of notices of motion is included in the Code of Meeting Practice I intend to continue submitting as many as I find necessary. I can assure Mayor Gash I will not be persuaded into not representing my fellow ratepayers and residents of the Shoalhaven by anyone.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Team Gash in the near future tries to restrict the number of motions other councillors can submit.

The question that must be asked is, why doesn’t Team Gash submit more notices of motion? The number of motions submitted by the eight members of Team Gash collectively could be counted on two hands. Does this mean the Wards 1 and 2 don’t need any improvements? Or does it mean Team Gash members are simply doing as they are told?

Cr M. Kitchener,

Ulladulla.