2020-10-12 General Committee Minutes

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES                                                  12 OCTOBER 2020


        In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Lorentson provided the
        following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
        I, Cr Lorentson, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in
        relation to the application by the Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators as one of the Club members,
        David Cookman, approached me after a Meet the Candidates night and asked for some election
        campaign posters to advertise on his properties. I did not know him or have any relationship
        with Mr Cookman prior to meeting him that night. Mr Cookman, is not the applicant for the grant
        nor is the grant being issued to him. As such, there does not appear to be any personal benefit
        accruing to Mr Cookman as a result of the grant to the community organisation. He is simply a
        member of a community organisation that is receiving a grant from Council. Mr Cookman is not
        a current committee member, although he has been a committee member in the past. I
        understand that he is a life member of the community group. Although I have a declarable
        conflict of interest, I do not believe a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because
        I do not consider that I have a close personal relationship with Mr Cookman and I believe Mr
        Cookman does not stand to receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this application.
        Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the decision of
        the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.

        In accordance with Chapter 5B of the Local Government Act 2009, Cr Stockwell provided the
        following declaration to the meeting of a declarable conflict of interest in this matter:
        I, Cr Stockwell, inform the meeting that I have a declarable conflict of interest in this matter in
        relation to the application by the Cooroora United Football Club as I have donated a total of
        $600 between December 2016 and December 2019 to that club. This was for both a junior
        bursary and general goodwill. Although I have a declarable conflict of interest, I do not believe
        a reasonable person could have a perception of bias because of the community nature of this
        donation. Therefore, I will choose to remain in the meeting room. However, I will respect the
        decision of the meeting on whether I can remain and participate in the decision.

        Committee Resolution
        Moved:              Cr Jurisevic
        Seconded:           Cr Wegener
        That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Stewart and determine that it is in the
        public interest that Cr Stewart participates and votes on this matter because Council believes
        that Mr Cookman will not receive a personal benefit or loss in relation to this application and
        therefore a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                 Carried unanimously.
        (Crs Stewart, Lorentson and Stockwell did not vote on the above motion)

        Committee Resolution
        Moved:              Cr Jurisevic
        Seconded:           Cr Finzel
        That Council note the declarable conflict of interest by Cr Lorentson and determine that it is in
        the public interest that Cr Lorentson participates and votes on this matter because Council
        believes this not a close personal relationship and that Mr Cookman will not receive a personal
        benefit or loss in relation to this matter and therefore a reasonable person would trust that the
        final decision is made in the public interest.
                                                                                  Carried unanimously.
        (Crs Lorentson, Stewart and Stockwell did not vote on the above motion)




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