By Jeremy Sollars
Ross Bartley is once again Deputy Mayor of the Southern Downs Regional Council after the first meeting of the 2020-2024 council earlier today, Wednesday 15 April.
In a first the meeting was live-streamed from 9am on the council’s Facebook page due to COVID-19 restrictions with councillors present at both the Warwick and Stanthorpe council meeting rooms.
New Mayor Vic Pennisi and Councillors Cameron Gow and Stephen Tancred were in Stanthorpe and Ross Bartley, Andrew Gale, Cynthia McDonald, Marco Gliori, Jo McNally and Sheryl Windle in Warwick via teleconference.
The first item of business at the meeting was to elect a Deputy Mayor. Cynthia McDonald nominated Ross Bartley, seconded by Stephen Tancred, while Cameron Gow was nominated by Jo McNally and seconded by Sheryl Windle.
Crs Bartley, Gale, McDonald, Gliori and Tancred voted for Bartley while Crs Gow, McNally and Windle voted for Gow. Mayor Vic Pennisi did not cast a vote, telling the Free Times he intentionally “stayed neutral” and it was “important to let the councillors decide who was the best person for the role”.
He would not say on the record who he would have supported had the vote been split without a clear majority requiring him to then break a ‘deadlock’.
Also discussed at today’s meeting were ongoing meeting arrangements during 2020, with council officers having proposed a continuation of non-public briefing sessions for councillors prior to monthly general meetings.
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of continuing briefing sessions during April and May but to review the procedure at the May general meeting.
Vic Pennisi has promised greater transparency in council decision-making and Ross Bartley has previously suggested a return to the former system of council committees which met monthly – open to the public and media – prior to general meetings.
“A FRESH START”…
Cr Pennisi made opening remarks at the meeting where he thanked former Mayor Tracy Dobie and former Councillors Rod Kelly, Yve Stocks and Marika McNichol for their service and wished them and their families well for the future.
“This is a new beginning – a fresh start for the region and for all relationships,” Pennisi said.
“My door is open to all in our community and I am keen to hear from you and keen to understand what your frustrations are.
“When we are again allowed to safely do so, come and meet me and my fellow councillors face to face so we can work together on mature solutions.
“In the interim, send me an email or pick up the phone or we can arrange an internet video teleconference.
“The COVID19 Crisis we find ourselves in will be a challenging time for all of us.
“The authorities ask that we stay in the state, stay in the region, stay in your suburb, stay at home.
“Leave your home only for food, medical and essential travel.
“We must be strong and together we will succeed.
“I am under no illusion the road ahead will be a little rocky – together we will overcome any obstacles and rebuild our communities.
“What we have faced in recent times has demonstrated our resilience and it is this strength that inspires me to be better every single day.
“My sleeves have been rolled up for several years, serving this region, and I will continue to do this.”
Deputy Mayor Ross Bartley said his role and that of the other councillors would be “challenging, no doubt about it”.
“This is a role where you have to have absolute trust in your mayor and fellow councillors,” Bartley said.
“The community has invested in each of us with their votes, and for every investment there should be a positive return.
“This is our very first test as councillors and we need to ensure that the community feels their investment has been a wise one.”
Today’s meeting was a special post-election meeting, with the April general meeting due to be held on Wednesday 29 April.To view the video of today’s meeting visit -https://www.facebook.com/MYSDRC/videos/556926788277234/
