Strathbogie Shire Council cancelled and rescheduled its meeting planned for yesterday to allow councillors more time to carefully consider community feedback on the 2020-21 draft budget.
Chief Executive Julie Salomon said the power to do this was provided under clause 20 of the Strathbogie Shire Council Meetings Procedures Local Law No 1.
“Councillors have asked for more time to carefully consider the feedback provided by the community during the public engagement process,” Ms Salomon said.Strathbogie Shire Mayor Amanda McClaren assured the community it was not an easy decision and said more time was needed to act on the community’s clear messages.“We have heard that our community needs support during the coronavirus pandemic,” Cr McClaren said.“Council is also acting on their calls to prioritise essential capital works and look at ways to redirect funding into community revitalisation.“We know they also want us to be financially responsible.”She said the community had asked council to be open and transparent and this is what councillors were doing.“We’re being honest about the need for more time to deliver on our community’s feedback,” she said.“The meeting will still be within the Local Government legislative requirements as the state government granted an extension until August 31 due to the impacts of COVID-19.”The meeting to consider the draft budget will now be held on Tuesday, July 14, from 5 pm in the conference centre in Euroa and live-streamed at strathbogie.vic.gov.auTo see the engagement report, which provides a summary of the feedback, go to strathbogie.vic.gov.au and click on budget and council plan.