A FRANKSTON councillor’s social media post has been referred to a councillor conduct panel for review, the mayor says. While debating a draft communications policy at council’s most recent meeting, the mayor Kris Bolam told councillors not to reference a post made by Cr Steven Hughes as it was “subject to a councillor conduct panel hearing”. Frankston Council declined to elaborate further on the mayor’s comments at the meeting. Cr Hughes’ social media activity has been causing a stir amongst councillors. His posts about council decisions and spending have been shared hundreds of times over the last month. The issue…
Author: Brodie Cowburn
A PROPOSAL to promise ordinary rate cuts for Frankston residents has been voted down by councillors. The notice of motion raised by Crs Steven and Liam Hughes offered to “guarantee” a cut of at least one percent on ordinary rates. Councillors voted to reject the plan with a 7-2 vote at council’s 15 February meeting. Cr Brad Hill told the meeting that “we need to do our due diligence” before deciding on rate cuts. “My rates come in at around $2600 a year so I would get a discount of around $26. I pay by quarter so I would get…
FRANKSTON Council officers will begin using glyphosate-based products for weed control again. Council approved an internal ban on glyphosate-based products like Roundup in 2019. The weed killer was phased out by council officers throughout 2020 (“Weed killer ban on the chopping block”, The Times, 8/2/21). The internal ban was overturned at council’s 15 February meeting. Council’s parks and vegetation coordinator Alan Wallis said the reintroduction of glyphosate will be “at a significantly lower volume than prior to the ban.” “Council will continue to review and refine weed management practices. We’re prioritising protection of biodiversity and native flora by ensuring weed…
THE statewide snap lockdown is due to finish at 11.59pm on Wednesday, 17 February. The “circuit-breaker” lockdown was announced by Premier Daniel Andrews last week in response to a growing cluster of cases linked to hotel quarantine. The lockdown came into effect statewide on Friday night. Further exposure sites in suburbs inside the Kingston local government area were named by the Department of Health this month. The DHHS website read that a positive COVID-19 case attended Nakama Workshop in Clayton South between 11.15am and midday on 1 February. Lululemon at DFO Moorabbin between 5pm and 5.45pm on 1 February was…
A FACEBOOK post made by a Frankston councillor comparing a proposed social media policy to life in the Soviet Union has been labelled “extremely offensive”. Cr Steven Hughes made a post last week criticising proposed changes to council’s social media guidelines. The post and accompanying image have been described as “shocking” by the mayor. Council’s new draft communications policy proposes that councillors on social media must remove content for up to 24 hours if directed to by the mayor. “In instances where there is a breach of [the communications policy] or relevant code, the mayor can direct a councillor to…