Under the Local Government Act, some Council business must be conducted in private.  The Council uses the term "In Committee" to describe the consideration of these confidential items.  Council's monthly meeting agenda should disclose the subject matter being discussed.  In the last couple of years, prior to the November 2008 election, the disclosure of "In Committee" subject matters was so vague that it was often unclear what  was being discussed.

The current Council has improved the disclosure of the subject matters being considered "In Committee".

The significance of this can be better understood if the August 2008 agenda is compared to the August 2009 agenda.

In the August 2008 agenda an "In Committee" item is disclosed as being a "Contractual Matter" being confidential because it is a "Contractual Matter".

In the August 2009 agenda an "In Committee" item is disclosed as being "Purchase of Lot 25 Arthur Court, Apollo Bay" being confidential because "this matter deals with contractual matters AND this matter may prejudice the Council or any person".

This improved disclosure allows the community to have some understanding of what is being discussed "In Committee" whilst keeping details confidential where that is necessary.

Please feel free to contact me on 5237-3196 if you would like to discuss this or any other Council matter.

To comply with the Councillor Code of Conduct I need to make it clear that these comments are my personal report. I am not speaking on behalf of the Council.