The Economic Development and Tourism committee has been disbanded.
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The decision was made at the February 28 meeting and followed on from a previous debate in 2017 where councillor Ian Scandrett was asked to step down as chair of the committee.
He chose not to step down and Cr Duncan Gair asked the same question of him again on Wednesday night in the hopes of avoiding a lengthy debate.
His response was “why?”
“What have I done that’s wrong? What is it that has bought this motion to this table?” he asked the councillors around the table.
Most councillors expressed concerns about the direction of the committee, including Cr Gordon Markwart who also sat on the committee.
“I felt the structure really was a little nebulous. There didn’t seem to be a clear goal. Many of the members weren’t quite sure what they were there to achieve,” he said.
“I think it’s reached a stage where it’s unsustainable. I think it needs to be reinvented. I want this committee to be working and to get it right this time” he said.
Cr Larry Whipper said it was a valuable committee that needed to be reformed as soon as possible.
“The committee has value, I have no doubt. We as councillors have hammered home the fact that we do need to look at economic development.” Now the committee has been disbanded, council will soon meet to review the terms of reference, nominate a chair and advertise committee positions.
The motion also specified the newly appointed committee be functional by May this year.