THE business of local government came to a screeching halt when Port Stephens Council was unable to field a quorum of councillors to vote on matters at the Council meeting due to be held 22 November.

Port Stephens Council’s General Manager Tim Crosdale told News Of The Area, “The Council meeting scheduled for 22 November 2022 was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.

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“The Local Government Act requires a quorum to be achieved for a council meeting to proceed.

“At Port Stephens, to achieve a quorum six elected members need to be present.

“Apologies were received from Councillors Wells, Kafer and Doohan.

“Council has previously granted leave of absence for Cr Dunkley at its meeting on 27 September 2022 and for Cr Tucker at its meeting on 25 October 2022.

“The items of business for the meeting of 22 November 2022 will be included in the agenda for the Council meeting on 13 December 2022,” he said.

The NOTA’s investigations have revealed that of the nineteen Council meetings held in 2022, just eight meetings have had a complete complement of elected Councillors in attendance.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Arnott and Councillor Anderson have attended every meeting.

Councillor Dunkley has missed six meetings, Councillor Kafer four meetings, with the remaining councillors missing between one and three meetings throughout the year.

By Marian SAMPSON