BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1032, 18 April 1912, Page 2

BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

COUNCILLORS TO BE INFORMED OF IMPORTANT MATTERS.

At Monday night’s Council meeting, Cr Richmond moved that all reports aud business be sent to all Councillors at least two clear days before the Council meeting. In speaking to the motion, the mover said he believed that it was the custom in other Borough Councils tor Councillors to be supplied with all information that is to come before a meeting some time prior to the meeting- It was impossible for anyone to get a proper grasp of the business by hearing the ieporis read out. Councillors should have a full knowledge of the matter before he exercises his vote, aud the only way to do this was to supply them with all particulars before the meeting. Cr Coley seconded the motion pro forma, saying that he didn’t care whether it was carried or not. At the present time if a Councillor wanted any information in regard to a question all he had to do was to go to the Council office prior to the meeting aud he could get all the information he required. Cr Greig considered the motion went a little too far. There was, however, certain business of which Councillors should get notice before the meetings. He gave an iustance where on one occasion a matter was brought up at the Council table on which, to have recorded an intelligent vote, he would have required time to consider it, and as he did not have sufficient inlormaliou he had retrained from recording his vote. In such cases Councillors should have time to consider the matter.

Cr Adams was also of opinion that in certain important matters Councillors should receive notice before the meetings. Cr Chrystall said he would support the motion if it were made to reler to important matters only, but to give lull particulars in connection with all matters that were to come before the Council would mean a very large amount oi extra work.

Cr Speirs was of opinion that sonic inaUeis were sprung on the Councillors too suddenly, but it could not be expected that they should be given full details on all matters that were to come before the meetings. The Mayor said he was partly in tavour ol the motion. He knew that at times it was impossible for Councillors to get a proper grip of things by just hearing the reports etc., read out, but it the motion were carried it would mean that every small report, etc., would have to be typed out aud sent to each Councillor. He suggested the matter of what should be sent to the Councillors be left to the discretion of the Town Clerk. Cr Stewart agreed with the Mayor aud suggested that the Mayor with the Town Clerk should draft the agenda paper, Cr Gibbs opposed the motion on the ground that it might not always be advisable to send out information in connection with certain business. Reave it to the discretion of the Town Clerk and it he were in doubt he could consult the Mayor. There was some further discussion and the motion was put aud lost, Cr Richmond alone supportiug it.

Later ou iu the evening Cr Greig moved that it be a recommendation to the Town Clerk that Councillors be notified of important business before meetings, such notification to be marked confidential.

The motion was seconded by Cr Adams and carried.