For anyone interested in February meeting minutes that are now available on the DVC website.
For me there are 2 points of interest in the minutes these are Anne Salts Question During Question, and 10.5 Willow Court Paranormal Documentary.
I will cut and past these 2 points for people to read.
Question Time
Anne Salt
Paranormal Documentary
“In August 2010 the Council approved a request for members of the WCWG to undertake a paranormal investigation in either Allonah or Carlton ward to make a documentary. Approval was granted subject to 4 conditions. The second condition was ‘that Council together with the WCWG committee are to have input and provide their approval of the script and video content before its release.
Approval for the documentary is listed on tonight’s Agenda. The FOWC have not been advised that the documentary was completed and therefore have not provided input or comment before its release.
What has stopped Council from fulfilling condition two set out in the motion in August 2010?
The General Manager advised that this matter is on the Agenda for tonight’s meeting.
The Personal Information Protection Principles and Antidiscrimination legislation need to apply to any decisions made about the content of the paranormal documentary.
What steps have Council taken to seek expert advice on these matters?
The General Manager advised that this matter is on the Agenda for tonight’s meeting
10.5 WILLOW COURT PARANORMAL DOCUMNETARY
Report To: Council
Author: General Manager
Qualified Officer: General Manager
Introduction and Purpose
The purpose of this report is to obtain approval from Council for some members of the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee to undertake a paranormal investigation of either the Alonnah or Carlton Ward.
Strategic Plan
S3 To encourage the development of local sporting, cultural and artistic activities.
Discussion
The Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee have advised that three members of their committee have discussed at the committee level their request to undertake a paranormal investigation of either Alonnah or Carlton Ward and to make a documentary video recording of the investigation for future display and possible sale.
The Working Group has given in principle approval of the project subject to the following conditions:
1. Council giving its approval for them to remain in the building overnight for up
to three nights to undertake the investigation; and
2. The Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee having final approval of the script and video before it is released. The Working Group also advised that the building to be used for the paranormal investigation is Alonnah and they need approval to stay overnight for up to three nights. There are things that Council would need more information on and these issues are as follows:
1. The qualifications of the persons undertaking the investigation.
2. The persons undertaking the investigations would also require appropriate insurances.
3. Council may also wish to be involved in the final approval of the script and video content before its release.
4. Assurances that the footage not used for the documentary is either destroyed, or approval must be sought from the Working Group and or Council for it use at a later time.
5. It may also be prudent for all the above conditions to be included in a contract signed by all parties.
Since this time the Paranormal Documentary Team have shown the video to some members of the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee and Councillors.
The Documentary has been scrutinised by the State Archivist in regard to the contents of the documentary. There has also been some discussion in regard to the MOU for the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee, and the view that they do not wish to be liable for the release of the documentary.
This committee was only an advisory committee when it was formed and recommendation from them was to be the subject of a report to Council. On that basic it would be Council that made the decision in regard to the release of the documentary.
Some members of the Friends of Willow Court Special Committee were concerned in regard to the content in the video this as stated above was the subject of a review by the State Archivist and his approval for its release has been given.
Consultations That Have Taken Place
(a) The Community
Not Applicable
(b) Experts
Not Applicable
(c) Stakeholders
Willow Court and Barracks Working Group Special Committee and Derwent Valley Councillors and Staff Proposed Community Consultation, Public Relations and Media Issues
That if approved by Council the Mayor and the Paranormal Documentary Team undertake a joint media release in regard to the availability of the video. Derwent Valley Council Council
Budget/Financial Issues
Not Applicable
Policy Implications
Not applicable
Recommendation
Decision: 32/13
Date: 21/2/13
File: Willow Court
Moved: Cr Lester
Seconded: Cr Shoobridge
That Council Authorise the release of the Willow Court Paranormal Documentary as provided to all Councillors in February 2013.
Amended Motion
Decision: 33/13
Date: 21/2/13
File: Willow Court
Moved: Cr Bromfield
Seconded: Cr Bester
1. That Council authorises the release of the Willow Court Paranormal
Documentary as provided to all Councillors in February 2013, subject to the
viewing of the documentary by Councils Solicitor.
2. That the Council recognises APIU as the creator and owner of the Willow Court Documentary “If these walls could talk” and gratefully acknowledges APIU’s offer to contribute 100% of the net proceeds of the sale of the DVD copies of the film to the Willow Court fund for the period of 18 months followed by a review.
Nick Jarvis