Minutes of
Extraordinary Council Meeting Held on 31 March 2025 at 6:00 PM
Attendance at Meeting:
Councillors:	Mayor R Bell (Chair) Deputy Mayor T O'Connor Cr S Burrows Cr L Doran Cr L Petrov Cr A Blakester Cr D Mailler Cr J Philp Cr K Arnold
Apologies:	Nil
Staff:	Ms T Averay, General Manager Mr M Raby, Director, Infrastructure & Development Mr B Dyer, Acting Director Community & Corporate Mr M McLindin, Group Manager Infrastructure Services Mr S Williams, Acting Manager Governance Ms L Chalmers, Executive Assistant

Extraordinary Council Meeting Minutes

31 March 2025

COntents

1 Opening & Welcome. 3

2 Prayer. 3

3 Acknowledgement of Country. 3

4 WEbcast Information.. 3

5 Apologies & Applications for Leave of Absence by Councillors. 3

6 Disclosure & Declaration of Interest/s. 3

7 Purpose of Extraordinary Meeting.. 3

8 Late Reports/Supplementary/Urgent Items (Including Petitions). 3

9 Confidential Matters. 3

9.1 New England Weeds Authority Further Update. 3

10 Communication of Council Decisions. 4

9.1 New England Weeds Authority Further Update. 4

11 Conclusion of Meeting.. 5

Extraordinary Council Meeting Minutes

31 March 2025

1            Opening & Welcome

The Chair declared the meeting opened at 6:00.

2            Prayer

The Chair recited the Uralla Shire Council prayer.

3            Acknowledgement of Country

The Chair read the acknowledgement of country.

4            WEbcast Information

The Chair advised no recording available for confidential sessions.

5            Apologies & Applications for Leave of Absence by Councillors

 Nil

6            Disclosure & Declaration of Interest/s

Nil

7            Purpose of Extraordinary Meeting

To discuss a further update on information from the New England Weeds Authority Administrator     and issues arising from that update.

8            Late Reports/Supplementary/Urgent Items (Including Petitions)

The Chair advised there were no late, urgent and supplementary items or reports of business.

9            Confidential Matters

Resolution  20.03/25

Moved:         Cr David Mailler

Seconded:    Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council considers the confidential report(s) listed below in a meeting closed to the public in accordance with Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act 1993:

9.1             New England Weeds Authority Further Update

This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 10A(2) - c of the Local Government Act 1993, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it deals with information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

For:                       Crs Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold

Against:               Nil

carried 9/0

Resolution  22.03/25

Moved:         Cr Leanne Doran

Seconded:    Cr David Mailler

That Council return to Open Session of Council and that resolutions of Closed Session of Council become the resolutions of Open session of Council.

For:                       Crs Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold

Against:               Nil

carried 9/0

10         Communication of Council Decisions

The Chair communicated the Council decisions from the closed session.

9.1             New England Weeds Authority Further Update

Resolution  21.03/25

Moved:         Cr David Mailler

Seconded:    Cr Sarah Burrows

That Council:

1. Supports the proposed sale of the property at 21 Waller Avenue, Armidale (Property), noting that the four Councils have an interest in the Property in the following percentages:

a. Uralla Shire Council: 18%,

2. Walcha Shire Council: 18%,
3. Glen Innes Severn Council: 22%,
4. Armidale Regional Council: 42%.
1. Agrees to the Administrator of the New England County Council negotiating the purchase price with the prospective buyer in consideration of the additional contributions made by the four councils in the 2024/25 financial year, the agent’s commission, and the vendor’s legal costs.
2. Notes that the proposed lease of the property as endorsed in previous Resolution 16.03/25 still applies and the property may be sold with a tenant in place.
3. Authorises the General Manager (or delegate) to negotiate and execute all necessary actions and documentation to effect the sale of the Property, including but not limited to, transfer documents, and any other ancillary agreements.

For:                       Crs Robert Bell, Sarah Burrows, Leanne Doran, Tom O'Connor, Lone Petrov, Adam Blakester, David Mailler, Jen Philp and Kath Arnold

Against:               Nil

carried 9/0

11         Conclusion of Meeting

The meeting was closed at 6:31.