By NATALIE GALLENTI
ONE Melton City councilor faced a fiery introduction at her first meeting last week, amid claims she would not sit on any of the council’s 42 special committees, advisory committees and other organisations.
Watts Ward councillor Lara Carli is the only councillor not sitting on any of the committees open for council representation.
Of the 42 committees six remain void of council representation.
At last week’s council meeting Cr Carli assured residents that she had put her hand up to sit on several committees but was “simply blocked at every attempt”.
Cr Carli claimed she was not supported by her fellow councillors and would not “put my hand up blindly to sit on committees I don’t understand”.
Mayor Kathy Majdlik said she was “surprised” by Cr Carli’s sentiments and assured her that it was “nothing untoward”.
“I’m surprised that out of all the vacant committees you’re not interested in any,” Cr Majdlik said.
Cr Sophie Ramsey said after 11 years on council she had become accustomed to missing out on committee seats.
She added that it was sad to see a number of vacancies, particularly when many were focused on Cr Carli’s ward.
“Any councillor representing these committees would love to have your input,” Cr Ramsey said.
The councillor representation as detailed in last week’s council agenda was adopted with Cr Carli deciding to abstain from voting.
Representation on the committee is reviewed every four years.
