Frankston Mechanics Institute Update 2
14 Apr 09
Councillors vote for Section 86 community committee of management.
Despite officer recommendations, councillors unanimously voted for community "ownership" and capacity building by resolving to place the future management of the Mechanics Institute Hall in the hands of a community committee.
The resolution is below..
COUNCIL DECISION
MOVED: CR. WARDLE SECONDED: CR. AITKEN
1. THAT COUNCIL IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISHES A SECTION 86 COMMITTEE FOR THE FRANKSTON MECHANICS HALL BASED ON AMENDED DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE AS DETAILED BELOW.
2. THAT COUNCIL REFERS TO THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS AN ANNUAL OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE ALLOCATION FOR THE FRANKSTON MECHANICS HALL AS PER COUNCIL PRACTICE WITH OTHER COUNCIL FACILITIES (E.G. HALLS, NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES AND KINDERGARTENS).
3. THAT COUNCIL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING IN CARRUM DOWNS TO PRESENT TO THE COMMUNITY THE REPORT ON THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CARRUM DOWNS MEMORIAL HALL AND SEEK FEEDBACK ON PROPOSALS FOR RESTORATION / REPLICATION / REBUILDING OF THE HALL (OR POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE CARRUM DOWNS COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH WOULD INCLUDE APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION AND RE-USE OF ORIGINAL MATERIAL FROM THE CARRUM DOWNS HALL) BEFORE DECIDING ON ESTABLISHMENT OF A SECTION 86 COMMITTEE.
4. THAT THE DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE AS DETAILED ON PAGE 31 OF THE SUPPORTING INFORMATION TO THE AGENDA BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
UNDER SECTION (A) ADD NEW BULLET POINTS:
HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRUDENT USE OF COUNCIL'S ANNUAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING ALLOCATION FOR THE HALL;
WORK TOWARDS FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE USE OF THE HALL;
HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUND RAISING, (INCLUDING THE SCOPE TO HAVE ONE OR MORE PERMANENT COMMERCIAL TENANTS); AND
FOSTER COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE MECHANICS HALL VIA OVERSEEING A "FRIENDS OF THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE" GROUP.
NEW SECTION
(C) THE SECTION 86 COMMITTEE SHALL INITIALLY OPERATE AS A RESTORATION STEERING COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE HISTORICAL RESTORATION OF THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE IN LINE WITH COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS AND PLANS
MEMBERSHIP OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE SHALL COMPRISE 10 PERSONS WHICH DURING THE RESTORATION STEERING COMMITTEE PHASE WILL BE MADE UP OF:
1 ARCHITECT - PREFERABLY WITH HISTORICAL RESTORATION EXPERIENCE;
1 REGISTERED BUILDER - PREFERABLY WITH HISTORICAL RESTORATION EXPERIENCE;
1 MEMBER OF THE FRANKSTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY (OR A NOTED LOCAL HISTORIAN); 1 ACCOUNTANT / FINANCIAL EXPERT;
1 BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE WITH A MARKETING PROMOTIONS BACKGROUND; 1 COMMUNITY ORGANISATION REPRESENTATIVE;
1 COMMUNITY MEMBER;
1 COUNCIL OFFICER;
1 SOUTH WEST WARD COUNCILLOR; AND
1 COUNCILLOR.SELECTION OF MEMBERS
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE POSITIONS SHALL BE ADVERTISED AND APPROPRIATE APPLICANTS SHALL ALSO BE INVITED TOAPPLY;
PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH A DEMONSTRATED CONNECTION TO FRANKSTON AND WITH PREVIOUS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT;
ALL POSITIONS WILL BE VOLUNTARY; AND
MEMBERSHIP OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO BE REVIEWED ONCE RESTORATION IS COMPLETE.