Cr Margaret O’Neill led the charge at Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting, accusing Council of acting illegally during a caretaker period before September elections.

She has lodged a rescission motion, supported by Crs Carol James and Sam Rowland, delaying consideration of the Community Plus project, pegged for Council’s Clinton St building.

“I have no hesitation in supporting this (proposal) but we have to get the legalities right,” she said.

...I won’t be involved in this sort of thing.”

But on Wednesday Mayor Geoff Kettle accused them of playing politics.

“I have confirmed with the Minister’s office and our legal people that we were perfectly within our rights. I’m confident we haven’t breached the rules,” he said.

Cr O’Neill said she sought Office of Local Government advice on Tuesday. She argued Council was in caretaker mode until September 10 and could not make any major decisions.

Under the rules, councils “can’t enter into any contract or undertaking involving expenditure or receipt of an amount equal to or greater than $150,000.”

Community Plus, an incorporated body already well established in Goulburn, wants to establish a learning hub and innovative co-working space on the first floor of 56 Clinton St. It would support start-up businesses, community organisations, public sector teleworkers, higher education providers and more. 

The plan emerged from a Council expression of interest call in July but Community Plus chairman Dr Ursula Stephens said talks started in May.

On Tuesday, general manager Warwick Bennett recommended a partnership with the organisation. Council would lease the space rent free for 12 months, judged to normally fetch $180,000, charge $45,000 for the next year and $65,000 in 2017/18.

Cr O’Neill’s motion to defer was lost four votes to three. However she immediately lodged a rescission motion, meaning no action can be taken until a September 6 meeting.