It is rare when a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council meeting erupts to the point where a councillor storms out of the chamber.
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So, mark down Wednesday December 12.
The innocuous looking item 09.04 was listed in the agenda paper and was a question from the November meeting.
Councillors work under a code of meeting practice. Under that code questions can be raised at the end of each meeting with responses to be provided at the next meeting.
These are called questions for next meeting.
At the end of the November meeting, mayor Peta Pinson raised a question on the councillor portfolio system.
Cr Pinson, who opposes the portfolio system, asked the general manager to provide advice to the February 2019 meeting on the resources required – and the cost to council – to operate the councillor portfolio system and provide advice on outcomes achieved to date form the portfolio structure.
The general manager, Craig Swift-McNair, told the November meeting that he would respond to the February meeting. And that was the recommendation.
That's when Cr Levido rose to his feet and put forward an amendment.
He said his intention was to get back to process.
"What we are seeing is councillors getting wobbly on process," he told the chamber.
"In the past six years, we have been sticking to our processes.
"And we are not seeing that here (referring to Cr Pinson's question to the general manager).
"We have to look at this council and the role we have in the community; the business of the council comes from the general manager.
"I would like to see us get back to a situation where we know what the rules are so don't get wobbly again.
"We are getting people to ask for reports. That is not what the question for next meeting is designed for.
"The business of council is set out by the general manager and councillors have a clear role to put things on the agenda.
"We are starting to get where the rules are being made up as we go. We need to crystallise where council is going," Cr Levido said.
Cr Pinson weighed into the discussion saying she wanted to speak in opposition to the matter.
But the discussion disintegrated reasonably quickly.
"I don't have any issue with you wanting to put forward this protocol on asking a question," the mayor said. "But what I feel is happening here, Cr Levido ..."
Cr Levido called a point of order and questioned whether the mayor was lecturing him.
Cr Pinson asked him to sit down.
And that point, Cr Levido stormed out of the chamber.
However, he returned shortly after with Cr Pinson asking him to offer an apology. He declined.
Cr Pinson wanted it noted that Cr Levido would not offer an apology.
The exchange shocked those still in the gallery, councillors and staff around the table.
Cr Pinson said that she believed the question she was asking was being shut down.
"This is a democratic organisation that represents the ratepayers and the residents of this community," she said.
By supporting this motion, it is stopping any democracy as far as rightful questions are concerned.
- Mayor Peta Pinson
"By supporting this motion, it is stopping any democracy as far as rightful questions are concerned.
"For that reason, I will be in opposition to this," she said.
Cr Lisa Intemann said she would support the motion adding that Cr Levido was "not shutting down democracy".
"This motion is trying to reimpose efficiencies," she said.
"Your (Cr Pinson's) question should have been a notice of motion."
Cr Levido said “this is about democracy” and the proper order of council business and the use of council's scarce resources.
"I believe this will give clarity moving forward and sets out in clearer forms what questions for next meeting is all about.
"It also gives guidance as to where council should head with this."