Simple: To start reducing the number of reports just add five more

Almost three years ago, on June 3, 2014, veteran councillor Bob Thompson requested that a report be prepared that looked into the feasibility of including an artist’s walk in Queen Street.

Cr Thompson, who managed to just hold on to his seat on council at last September’s elections, will need to be a little more patient before he gets to see such a report.

But his request of a report is not an isolated incident on Campbelltown Council and, no doubt, every other council in NSW.

When the Campbelltown councillors gathered for their May 23 meeting last Tuesday, the business agenda listed no fewer than 37 reports being prepared by council officers.

The weight of such a burden prompted the Liberal leader on the council, Cr George Greiss, to suggest a report cull was due.

“Maybe the time has come to drop some of these requests for reports,’’ Cr Greiss told the council.

He suggested that any report request made before 2016 be considered for the chopping block.

Cr Greiss got a lot of support for his argument, however it was pointed out that apart from anything else some requests were more important than others.

Another veteran councillor, Paul Lake, had this to say: “Firstly some of these reports are scheduled to be tabled very soon, in June, July and August.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Secondly, there are requests, such as the one by retired councillor Rudi Kolkman asking for a report on how Campbelltown may celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2020 that should not just be culled because they were made a long time ago.’’[/social_quote]

Cr Meg Oates said it would be wrong to just drop requests for report all of a sudden.

“The officers have done a lot of work on these reports and dropping them now would mean they wasted their time,’’ Cr Oates said.

Speaking after the meeting, newly elected councillor Warren Morrison said bringing up the issue was “a good call by Cr Greiss’’.

“But we just have to be careful we don’t throw out anything that’s important or still relevant,’’ Cr Morrison said.

Cr Darcy Lound said it was a fair call that requests for reports made before 2016 should be reviewed and culled if necessary.

“These can always be brought back to council later via a notice of motion in any case,’’ Cr Lound told the Voice.

Macarthur Greens councillor Ben Moroney was of a similar mind, telling  the Voice after the meeting: “I can see both points of the argument, so I am happy for stuff to review the old report requests and make a decision on whether to cull them – so long as items can be brought back.’’

Eventually council voted to support the following motion: “That any reports requested prior to September 2016 and have not been completed be reviewed by the Director City Governance and a report be presented back to Council.’’

So in effect they voted to request another report, which means there are now 38 reports to be completed by staff.

Well, not quite.

I am not sure if any of the councillors saw the irony of it, but a few minutes after the “cull the reports’’ debate, they voted to support four brand new requests for reports.

Which takes the tally to 42.

And the four new requests?

1. That a report be presented outlining the feasibility and costs involved in formalising the unused roadside space in Pembroke Road, opposite the Leumeah Hotel, to provide angled commuter car parking places;

2. That a report be presented to council outlining the feasibility of trialling Steora Smart Benches or any similar type product in our recreation areas such as skate parks and dog parks;

3. That a report be presented to council outlining the feasibility of including wheelchair accessible picnic tables in any newly constructed parks and any parks undergoing refurbishment;

4. That a report be presented to Council detailing a procedures for:

a. Councillors to request that a delegated decision be called up to a meeting of Council.

b. Councillors rights and responsibilities to review decisions undertaken under delegated authority and the process to call the decisions to be reviewed.

c. Councillors rights and responsibilities regarding access to administrative information.

d. Councillors rights and responsibilities regarding the ability to communicate with staff.