PLATE up Ballarat, a month-long festival celebrating Ballarat\u2019s diverse foods, beers and wines and whose inaugural event was held in May 2018 was on the agenda at the City of Ballarat council meeting on Wednesday, 30 January.<\/p>\n
The group sought a strategic partnership with the municipality of $60,000 per year for three years.<\/p>\n
With no questions raised by the councillors, Cr Mark Harris moved, and Cr Des Hudson seconded, a recommendation of one year of $35,000, with funding provided with the conditions relevant to councils Strategic Partnership Grant Program.<\/p>\n
Cr Hudson requested information of Plate up Ballarat\u2019s approved performance each year-on-year and a certain amount of the $35,000 be held until the acquittal provides this performance information.<\/p>\n
Cr Belinda Coats requested the economic benefit to the local food and hospitality sector to be monitored.
\nThe motion was carried unanimously.<\/p>\n
Debate over ACTFA grant<\/strong><\/p>\n Australian Controlled Traffic Farming Association Incorporated applied for a Business Event and Festivals Grant of $10,000 for assistance with its third international conference to be held at Federation University mid-February.<\/p>\n The funding is intended to cover the costs of bus hire for conference field tours and hiring and catering costs at the university\u2019s Mount Helen campus.<\/p>\n Council\u2019s development and planning division recommended approval of $3000.<\/p>\n Cr Grant Tillett moved an alternative recommendation of $10,000, seconded by mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh, saying, \u201cThis is a scientific organisation of global importance and I think $3000 was too little.\u201d<\/p>\n The motion was defeated.<\/p>\n Cr Hudson put forward the motion to accept the council recommendation of $3000, seconded by Cr Harris.<\/p>\n Motion was carried.<\/p>\n Officers\u2019 trips approved<\/strong><\/p>\n Approval for overseas travel for two council officers was recommended by the development and planning department In line with the amendment to the Councillor Expense and Entitlements Policy implemented in December, which requires any councillor or officer seeking approval for any international travel is to be approved by Council, the travel plans were given the OK.<\/p>\n No rate cap variation<\/strong><\/p>\n Council will not seek a variation to the municipal rate cap of 2.5 per cent for the 2019-2020 financial year. The proposal that council advises the Essential Services Commission it does not intend to seek a variation to the rate cap was approved by all councillors.<\/p>\n
\nAll travel expenses for both officers\u2019 trips, one to United Arab Emirates and one to New Zealand, are covered by the host organisations.<\/p>\n
\nCr Hudson said, \u201cIt disappoints me that the state gov thinks they know what the council should to do, we run a significant organisation and we know we have to organise what the rate payer expects.\u201d<\/p>\n