2019-07-09 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   9 JULY 2019


Section 162(1)(e) of the Local Government Act 2009 states that “a councillor’s office becomes
vacant if the councillor is absent from 2 or more consecutive ordinary meetings of the local
government over a period of at least 2 months, unless the councillor is absent with the local
government’s leave”. In the event of technology failings which would prevent Cr Jackson from
attending the meetings via teleconference, it is recommended that Council makes provision for a
leave of absence for Cr Jackson for the July and August Ordinary meetings in that eventuality.
Section 162(1) of the Act is provided below for information:

“162 When a councillor’s office becomes vacant
(1) A councillor’s office becomes vacant if the councillor—
     (a) is dismissed; or
     (b) ceases to be qualified to be a councillor under division 1; or
     (c) is found, on a judicial review, to be ineligible to continue to be a councillor; or
     (d) does not comply with section 169; or
     (e) is absent from 2 or more consecutive ordinary meetings of the local government over
         a period of at least 2 months, unless the councillor is absent—
         (i)    in compliance with an order made by the conduct tribunal, the local government
                or the chairperson of a meeting of the local government or a committee of the
                local government; or
         (ii) with the local government’s leave; or
     (f) resigns as a councillor by signed notice of resignation given to the chief executive
         officer; or
     (g) dies; or
     (h) becomes a local government employee.”

Previous Council Consideration
Nil.

Finance
Nil.

Risks & Opportunities
It is anticipated that the technology to enable Cr Jackson to attend these two Ordinary meetings
should work well but as there will be an overseas element outside of our control, there is a
potential technology risk. To ensure that this does not impact on Cr Jackson’s ongoing role as a
Councillor, that risk is mitigated by providing a leave of absence “just in case”.

Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Nil.

Internal Consultation
Cr Jackson




                                                                                  Page 40 of 47