THIS week’s scheduled public meeting of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has been postponed until Tuesday 7 June.
Included on the agenda was the adoption of the 2022/23 budget.
It is understood the mayor Cr Anthony Marsh requested the delay while he undergoes treatment in hospital.
Although there is a deputy mayor, Cr Lisa Dixon, Cr Susan Bissinger said “really, it is in the community’s interest that we have the best chair possible” at the final budget meeting.
“We’re trying to do the best we can for the community. The deputy was willing to step in, but the consensus was that it was best to postpone.”
Cr David Gill said the meeting should have gone ahead without the mayor: “He’s just one among equals. This is unprecedented for a budget meeting. Meetings should go ahead as has been advertised.
“This is why we have a deputy mayor. Will they cancel a meeting if I can’t attend?”
Gill said that for the first time a draft budget had not been publicly released.
The shire issued a statement on Monday saying cancelling budget meeting would allow Marsh “enough time to recover and participate as chair”.
The rescheduled meeting will start 5.30pm Tuesday 7 June at the Rosebud council chambers and can be viewed online at: Live Stream of Council Meetings – Mornington Peninsula Shire (mornpen.vic.gov.au)
CEO John Baker’s executive advisor Amanda Sapolu said: “The Governance Rules allow the mayor, following consultation with the councillors, to cancel any meeting which has been fixed and to provide notice of the change to the public.”
First published in the Western Port News – 31 May 2022
