Ross Earl, General Manager of the Bourke Shire, writes on efforts to strengthen the Western Division Councils organisation as an active lobby group for the Far West.
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Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman travelled to Broken Hill last week to attend a meeting of the executive of the Western Division Councils. Representatives discussed several issues including the need to reinvigorate the orgnanisation as an active lobby group for Western NSW.
As a starting point, the organisation is looking at developing a business plan and/or a strategic plan to give a more structured approach and a clearer set of priorities consistent with contemporary requirements.
Broken Hill City Council has undertaken to update the Western Division website to reflect current membership, contact details and issues impacting the area.
Given membership, legislative and other changes, I have been tasked with the revamp of the constitution. It is proposed for the changes to work the reviews would need to be completed so councils could consider the information in preparation for the next Division meeting scheduled for June 30 in Cobar
Another proposed change was to look at the need for increased allocation of funding for the employment of the role of executive officer for a significantly increased time to allow the person next appointed more time to undertake the role. Current funding severely restricts time.
The current executive officer, Ruth Fagan, will finish at the end of March. With the chair of Western Division Leigh Byron being the Mayor of Balranald, in the interim Balranald Shire staff will undertake the role
The executive also discussed the Far West Initiative and the need for councils to be given some clarity as to its future direction.
Japan trip. Bourke Rotary Club held a Trivia Night to help high school students raise funds for their trip to Japan. The Rotary District Assistant District Governor Stuart Astley from Dubbo said on a previous visit he would like to come up and support the next Rotary trivia night. True to his word he and his wife Donna travelled up for the night. They joined with the “Men’s Shed” team, which were the winners on the night. Well done and a big thank you to them both for such a large effort.