A move by Tweed mayor Katie Milne for council to stop providing alcohol to councillors, staff and media on its premises has succeeded, just.
However, special events such as the staff Christmas party are exempt from the ban.
The Greens’ Cr Milne in the past failed to get such a ban up, but this time around had the numbers, with the three conservative (Nats, Lib) councillors opposed.
The vote for her move was approved with the support of Crs Chris Cherry, Reece Byrnes and Ron Cooper while Crs Warren Polglase, Pryce Allsop and James Owen voted against.
The mayor as background notes to her motion cited council’s extensive protocol on alcohol and drug use in the workplace adopted almost two years ago.
She said exception to the rules under the protocol are ‘designated events’ where the responsible consumption of alcohol is permitted within legal limits such as blood alcohol limits prescribed in NSW for the operation of motor vehicles.
Under the rules, the general manager may from time to time approve special occasions, functions or events, such as the staff Christmas Party, or official openings as ‘designated events’ where the responsible consumption of alcohol is authorised.
Out of hours work related functions such as conference dinners and council workshops/meetings have been deemed ‘designated events’.
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