HURSTVILLE Council's custom of holding ratepayer-funded planning weekends at resorts will be up for discussion again tomorrow when councillor Justin Mining proposes the next event is held at the council chambers.
A planning workshop is scheduled for April 18-19 at Crowne Plaza, Terrigal.
Cr Mining said under the present arrangements, the council would be required to pay for accommodation, meals and travel expenses for all councillors and staff attending the workshop. The council would also be liable for any hiring costs for the facilities as charged by the hotel.
He said this would be the second external workshop organised for councillors and staff this financial year. A planning workshop was previously held at the Mercure Resort, Hunter Valley Gardens, in November.
"As the economy tightens and council faces ever-increasing infrastructure challenges, we need to ensure that we use ratepayer funds wisely," Cr Mining said.
"There is no need for this workshop to be held by the beach on the Central Coast.
"Our council meeting rooms are more than sufficient, so how can we justify any further expense for ratepayers?"
Cr Mining said it was bizarre and hypocritical of the councillors to spend money on weekends away after the mayor used his casting vote to limit the membership of the newly formed strategic planning committee to seven councillors.
"I am very concerned at the hypocrisy in spending thousands on this workshop," he said.
"The mayor says it is important that we all have a say on planning at the workshop but he has voted to exclude many councillors from being a part of the recently established strategic planning committee."