$1000 luncheon revealed

A $4000 consultancy fee for a oneday workshop and $1000 luncheon cost during a councillor briefing have been revealed.

Resident Don McLean posed five questions to Baw Baw Shire at last week’s council meeting regarding two recent confidential councillor briefing sessions.

Mr McLean’s questions related to a briefing at Drouin Golf and Country Club on February 1 and a second at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on April 5.

The February 1 briefing was attended by 17 councillors, executive staff, officers and consultants, according to the assembly of councillors report.

The April 5 meeting was attended by 27 councillors, staff and a consultant. Crs Danny Goss and Darren Wallace were absent for most of the briefing, arriving after 2pm for the final 90 minutes. Cr Annemarie McCabe left 30 minutes early.

Asked why a legal consultant from company Hunt and Hunt was required at the two meetings and the cost involved, chief executive officer Mark Dupe said “Tony Raunic was engaged to facilitate a governance-related workshop”.

“The facilitated workshop, including pre-session preparation and travel, was $4180,” Mr Dupe said.

In response to Mr McLean’s question about what was discussed at the April 5 briefing, Mr Dupe said it was a “confidential workshop”.

“This workshop and its contents were subject to legal professional privilege,” he said. “As such, it is not possible to provide information to the community.”

The questions also revealed “the cost of lunch and refreshments was $1000 on April 5.” Catering costs at the February 1 workshop were $615.

Mr McLean has lodged a Freedom of Information request for documents from the February 1 meeting. It was previously revealed the cost of consultants attending the February 1 briefing was $18,500.

Specifically, he requested all documents relating to notice of the meeting, consultant advice provided during and following the meeting, all records kept including actions agreed to, and decisions made.