Melton councillor Lara Carli says she will continue to probe why it was necessary for three Melton representatives to attend a conference in Mexico, which cost ratepayers at least $13,200.
Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey, chief executive Kel Tori and the council’s Lifelong Learning officer, Peter Blunden, attended a UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning conference last month amid concerns of wasting ratepayers’ money on a “junket”.
Mr Tori tabled his report at last week’s council meeting, outlining preliminary cost estimates, highlights and key messages taken from the conference.
The report said Mr Tori learned about the importance of implementing arts programs in the council’s Learning Plan, the opportunity to expand programs focused on parenting, and the possibility of incorporating a youth mayor in council’s youth programs.
But Cr Carli, who vehemently opposed plans to send Cr Ramsey and Mr Tori to Mexico with Mr Blunden, told Star Weekly Mr Tori’s report reaffirmed her stance.
Overkill
Cr Carli said she never opposed Mr Blunden attending the conference but thought sending three delegates was overkill.
“I read Kel’s report and I still see no benefit of the chief executive officer and mayor participating in the conference,” Cr Carli said.
“I saw no benefit to the ratepayers whatsoever. I know Melton received awards, but Peter could’ve accepted them on behalf of Melton.”
While Cr Ramsey did not attach her report to the council agenda, she said she felt “honoured and humbled” to have delivered to more than 800 delegates the conference’s statement of intent.
Cr Ramsey also met mayors from around the world to speak about their initiatives and community learning.
“What I got out of the conference was that Melton is not alone,” Cr Ramsey said.
“We’re leaders of the pack, yes, but we have a lot to learn.”
Cr Ramsey slammed the “negative naysayers” for not recognising Melton as “leading the pack on a number of issues”.
Cambridge, Coburn and Watts Residents Association president Angela Scarpaci said she wanted to know how Cr Ramsey would continue to lead the pack in lifelong learning and what she learned from the conference.
Ms Scarpaci urged the council to engage with its residents about future lifelong learning initiatives.
