Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Greater Geelong City Council held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre - City Hall on 28 July 2015, commencing at 7:00pm.
Mandi Hyland
Davina Montgomery
Jenny Wills
Professor Shurlee Swain
Eric Jamieson
Cr D Lyone (Mayor)
Crs:
T Ansett
L Ellis
J Farrell
K Fisher
B Harwood
M Heagney
J Irvine
E Kontelj
S Kontelj
Cr R Macdonald
R Nelson
A Richards
K Spiller (Interim Chief Executive Officer)
D Frost (General Manager Strategy & Performance)
P Bettess (General Manager Economic Development, Planning and Tourism)
W Tieppo (General Manager City Services)
L Quinn (Acting General Manager Community Services)
J Brown (Manager Administration and Governance)
R Bourke (Governance Co-ordinator)
The Mayor declared the meeting open at 7:05pm.
Council acknowledges Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community today.
Cr E Kontelj moved, Cr Nelson seconded –
That permission be granted to take photos as part of Cr S Kontelj’s presentation.
Carried
The Mayor acknowledged the resignation from Council of Cr Dr Stretch Kontelj after 17 years serving as Kildare Ward Councillor. Cr Kontelj also served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor during this period. The Mayor congratulated him on his new appointment as SpecSavers Global Legal Director based in the UK.
Nil.
Cr Farrell moved, Cr Ansett seconded -
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 14 July 2015 be confirmed and signed.
Carried.
Cr Farrell moved, Cr Heagney seconded –
That Standing Orders be suspended to enable the introduction of members of the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee.
Carried.
Cr Farrell introduced members Jenny Wills, Mandi Hyland, Shirlee Swain, Rosan Chakir, Davina Montgomery, Kath Travis and Robyn Davis and acknowledged apologies from the remainder of the group. Cr Farrell as Portfolio Holder and Chair of the Committee also acknowledged the work carried out by Linda Quinn, Heidi Waterson and Jane Wager.
Cr Farrell moved, Cr Irvine seconded –
That Standing Orders be resumed.
Carried.
Cr Nelson declared an Indirect Interest by Close Association in Agenda Item 5 – Exchange of Land – Peninsula Drive, Drysdale and Murradoc Road, St Leonards – Update, in that he has had several confidential meetings with the Principal of St Ignatius about financial decisions pertaining to the land abutting the school.
Cr Farrell declared an Indirect Interest by Close Association in Agenda Item 1 – Amendment C203 Trethowan Avenue/Ocean Grove Drive, Ocean Gove – Consideration of Panel Report and Adoption of Amendment, in that some of the landholders who will benefit are known to me and members of my family.
Question Time is an opportunity for questions to be addressed to Council and while the minutes record the general content, they do not purport to be a transcript of what was said by individuals. Likewise Councillor or Officer verbal responses are in summary form only. Views expressed may not be the views of Council.
Council's practice is to provide a separate document on its website setting out questions and responses including any more detailed written responses which may be provided subsequent to the meeting.
Mandi Hyland asked Governments throughout the world are seeing the importance of increasing the number of women on public boards, and in leadership positions. As a member of the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee, I would like to know how many women and how many men make up the top 10% of the highest paid Council employees?
The Interim CEO responded that his observation would see more males than females in management roles, however he would make it his business to find out what the plan is and respond back in writing.
Dean Frost added of the top 10% of salaried staff at Council – 88 are female and 179 are male
Have targets been set on gender equality in leadership and what actions are you taking to achieve them?
Dean Frost responded added targets have not been set, the question of targets will be something for the executive leadership team to consider as part of the Diversity Employment Strategy that is being developed 15/16 Business Plan.
This is an important issue for the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee. Is there anything that our Committee can do to help Council move forward on gender equality?
Dean Frost added The Women in Community Life Advisory Committee may be able to provide valuable input into the gender related areas of this strategy and we will invite that input at an appropriate time.
Davina Montgomery asked the following question on behalf of Hannah Teesdale:
I would really appreciate an individual response from all Councillors on this question: Do you support equal numbers of men and women on Council and what are you doing within your individual portfolio to support gender equality?
Jenny Wills asked:
Following on from Council’s 2010 endorsement of the Women’s Charter will Councillors now:
Demonstrate Council leadership by actively promoting gender equity outcomes in all Council roles and responsibilities?
Resolve that a gender equity analysis be undertaken across Council’s functions in policy formulations, planning, service provision and funding?
Act on the findings of the gender analysis with the development of Council endorsed strategies, actions, targets and timelines to address inequities?
Seek advice from WiCLAC and the wider community, prior to the finalisation of a Gender Equity Framework and Action Plan in 2016?
The Mayor responded that the questions had been answered by Dean Frost, but would take on notice and provide a written response.
Professor Shurlee Swain asked in light of the issues being aired before the current Royal Commission on Domestic Violence the Women in Community Life Advisory Committee would like information as to the conditions within the EBA for City of Greater Geelong staff around disclosure of domestic violence?
Dean Frost responded the City of Greater Geelong Enterprise Agreement contains a comprehensive Family Violence clause and has done for several years (Clause 6.12 Family Violence).
The clause describes Council’s commitment and support to our employees who may experience family violence and the measures in place to provide this support.
Some examples of support may be additional paid leave, changes to work patterns or duties, relocation to suitable employment, counselling and other support through our Employee Assistance Program. Full details of the clause can be found on line.
A response in writing will be provided.
Eric Jamieson asked if Council could install a splitter island to Barrabool Road between Montague Street and Duggan Court, Highton to improve pedestrian safety and convenience
Vicki Shelton responded, on behalf of the General Manager City Services, that Council currently discussions with VicRoads looking at ways to rectify the problem. Funding for works will then have to be allocated through the budget process.
A petition was presented by Eric Jamieson in support of his question in relation to the construction of a pedestrian Traffic Management System on Barrabool Road, Highton, between Montague Street and Duggan Court.
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