Gifts for ex-councillors

By Kelly Yates
The new policy came into effect at Tuesday night’s council meeting, with council officers developing the set of guidelines to be consistent in the recognition of service to the City of Casey by councillors.
Within four months of each election, non-continuing councillors will be recognised at a joint civic function and those who have served up to three full terms will be presented with a letter and an appropriate gift.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith raised the issue back in January when he called for the council to hold separate civic receptions for former councillors Rob Wilson and Mick Morland to recognise their long service in Casey.
Councillor Kevin Bradford then moved a further motion at that council meeting for the council to create the newly-adopted policy.
Until this year, it had not been the practice of the council to acknowledge service of councillors by way of a civic reception.
In March 2007, mayor Colin Butler presented councillors Mick Morland and Wayne Smith with plaques recognising 10 years of service to the municipality.
Back in 2005, mayor Neil Lucas presented retiring councillors Brian Oates and Ben Clissold with plaques, and at the same meeting Cr Lucas got a plaque recognising four decades public service.
There is no pattern of recognition of former or serving councillors at neighbouring councils and councils of similar size to Casey in Victoria.