Since The Echo broke the news on Friday that Lismore Council will have a new general manager from tomorrow, Tuesday, February 5, the internet has been overflowing with comments about the proposed GM, John Walker, and references to his alleged failings – in particular, his leaving the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council.
Though councillors and staff are prohibited from talking about confidential matters, this does not apply to the public and many social media platforms are openly discussing the implications of the financial cost to council to pay out yet another GM, the legality of such a move and the possibility of council going into administration, and how that would work for Lismore.
Meeting at Goonellabah today
This morning Lismore Council have listed an Extraordinary Meeting slated for today at 6pm. This meeting comes ahead of the Ordinary Meeting tomorrow at the same time. The business paper gives no information other than the meeting is about ‘Confidential Matters–Closed Council Meeting’.
The paper says: ‘Recommendation: that the Council exclude members of the press and public from the meeting and move into Closed Council Meeting to consider the following matters:
Item 16.1 Confidential Mayoral Minute
Grounds for Closure Section 10A(2) (a):
Public Interest Discussion of this matter in an open meeting would on balance be contrary to the public interest because it relates to: personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than councillors).’
Are twelve hours enough for Code of Meeting Practice requirements?
There maybe be objections about the paper which was put up with less than 12 hours notice. Social media is asking if it is sufficient to satisfy Clause 3.5 of the Code of Meeting Practice? Under the heading of ‘Notice to the public of council meetings’, the code states that: ‘The notice must be published on the council’s website, and in such other manner that the council is satisfied is likely to bring notice of the meeting to the attention of as many people as possible.’
Whether the Goonellabah Chambers see protests two days in a row? That remains to be seen.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
