We write in order to express our surprise and disappointment that four of our fellow councillors saw fit to avoid a debate on the Gunnedah Memorial Pool opening hours by using a 'gag motion' after only one speaker, Cr [Ann] Luke, had spoken in favour of our motion.
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The motion aimed at retaining the closing time of 8pm until further investigation had taken place and until some community consultation could be undertaken.
As there has been no community consultation in relation to the pool opening hours we had sought such as part of our motion which would have allowed input from users of the pool as well as from members of the wider community.
The use of the 'gag' motion appears quite extraordinary to us and contrary to normal practice where such a procedural motion would only be used after the debate has gone on for some time and most councillors who wish to speak have had the opportunity to do so.
Furthermore, we find it insulting that those four councillors who supported the 'gag' motion and were not prepared to put their arguments at the council meeting were then prepared to express their point of view via the media when they refused to do so at the council meeting.
We have been approached by a number of pool regulars who wish to retain the 8pm closing time.
They believe that they have had no opportunity for input into the decision made in August which saw council decide to change the closing time to 7pm Monday-Saturday and 6pm Sunday. We believe that the closing time should remain at 8pm for this season until more accurate statistics are gathered on usage, operating costs and means of increasing patronage while and consultation with patrons and the community is also undertaken.
We are sorry that we were not allowed to debate this motion and explain why such actions are necessary. We are not impressed that such debate was intentionally 'gagged'.
