Is Launceston's Council Losing Its Constituency's Confidence?

DECEMBER 23 2017 - 7:59AM Royal Launceston Show Society says auditors report will not be made public Holly Monery ............... The Royal Launceston Show Society owes the City of Launceston more than $100,000, according to sources. [Actually it was the Mayor in The Examiner & on radio]............ It is understood other creditors are owed “significantly more”. ............ It was these figures, which were revealed in an independent auditor’s report, that the council used as the basis to deny further financial support. ............ Society president Jock Gibson said the document would not be made public. ............ “We are certainly not going to release it, it wouldn’t be normal to do so ... there are commercial considerations,” he said. ............ A meeting between council officers and society members on Friday did not reveal any new information that could help host a show in 2018, Mr Gibson said. ............ “They didn’t really have an answer for us, we will be having ongoing talks with them but they haven't put anything to us at this stage that changes the situation.” ............ Showmen's Guild of Tasmania secretary Diane Alexander said with the demise of the Royal Launceston Show and the Devonport show, many operators will not make the expensive trip across the Bass Strait. ......... “Almost half of our members come from the mainland, we do have a lot of members here in Tasmania with equipment but some of the major rides and games come from the mainlanders who come over for a few months and do the show circuit,” she said. ............ “With the second largest show in the state folding and third largest, which has already folded, they will definitely rethink coming to Tasmania.” ............ This could lead to a domino effect, where one by one the shows will fade away, Ms Alexander said. “It would not be economically viable, the little shows are the bread and butter, you don’t make a lot of money but it tides you over for the week.” The Showmen’s Guild members will not be the only people affected if the show folds. There are many volunteers, cottage industry participants, woodchopping, dog showing, horse jumping and agricultural competitors who take part in activities. ............ “That is basically why we have been trying so hard over recent years to keep the Launceston show going because we are fully aware of the implications that us not having a show would have,” Mr Gibson said. ........... http://www.examiner.com.au/story/5138605/show-society-in-more-than-100000-debt-to-council/

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Commercial in confidence

A classification that identifies information that, if disclosed, may result in damage to a party’s commercial interests, intellectual property or trade secrets. You must not disclose any information marked ‘Commercial in Confidence’ without permission from the party who supplied it. This type of information is protected.

confidential [kon-fi-den-shuh l]

1.  spoken, written, acted on, etc., in strict privacy or secrecy; secret: a confidential remark. 
2. indicating confidence or intimacy; imparting private matters: a confidential tone of voice. 
3. having another's trust or confidence; entrusted with secrets or private affairs: a confidential secretary. 4. bearing the classification confidential, usually being above restricted and below secret. limited to persons authorized to use information, documents, etc., so classified.

SECTION 20 Local Govt. Act
Functions and powers 
(1) In addition to any functions of a council in this or any other Act, a council has the following functions: 
(a) to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the community; 
(b) to represent and promote the interests of the community; 
(c) to provide for the peace, order and good government of the municipal area. 
(2) In performing its functions, a council is to consult, involve and be accountable to the community. 
(3) A council may do anything necessary or convenient to perform its functions either within or outside its municipal area. 
(4) A council may transfer to a single authority or a joint authority 
(a) any of its assets and liabilities on any condition it determines; or 
(b) any of its employees. 
(5) A council may – 
(a) acquire, hold, dispose of and otherwise deal with property; and 
(b) sue and be sued in its corporate name.

SECTION 28 Local Govt. Act

Functions of councillors
(1) A councillor, in the capacity of an individual councillor, has the following functions:
(a) to represent the community;
 (b) to act in the best interests of the community;
 (c) to facilitate communication by the council with the community;
 (d) to participate in the activities of the council;
 (e) to undertake duties and responsibilities as authorised by the council.
 (2) The councillors of a council collectively have the following functions:
(a) to develop and monitor the implementation of strategic plans and budgets;
(b) to determine and monitor the application of policies, plans and programs for
    (i) the efficient and effective provision of services and facilities; and
   (ii) the efficient and effective management of assets; and
   (iii) the fair and equitable treatment of employees of the council;
(c) to facilitate and encourage the planning and development of the municipal area in the best interests of the community;
(d) to appoint and monitor the performance of the general manager;
(e) to determine and review the council's resource allocation and expenditure activities;
(f) to monitor the manner in which services are provided by the council.
(3) In performing any function under this Act or any other Act, a councillor must not 
(a) direct or attempt to direct an employee of the council in relation to the discharge of the employee's duties; or
(b) perform any function of the mayor without the approval of the mayor.
(4) A councillor is to represent accurately the policies and decisions of the council in performing the functions of councillor.

LINK ... http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdb/au/legis/tas/consol_act/lga1993182/