Nicholson wants simpler path to reconsideration

By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express

Ward 5 councillor Brian Nicholson believes the city’s procedural by-law is limiting council’s ability to address previous decisions.

During the latest corporate services committee meeting, staff presented a report including possible amendments to council’s procedural by-law.

At the present time, a motion to reconsider a matter requires a two-thirds majority vote.

This includes decisions made by previous councils, a sticking point for Nicholson as he believes it stops the current group from doing its work.

“No government, once it’s out of office, should handcuff another council – it’s ridiculous,” he said.

Nicholson added the amendment would allow a new council “to take a mandate from voters and do it.”

He asked the committee to recommend the amendments to council, but his motion failed on a tied vote. Nicholson, Ward 4 city councillor Derek Giberson and Ward 3 city councillor Bradley Marks were in favour, while Mayor Dan Carter, Ward 1 regional councillor John Neal and Ward 2 city councillor Jane Hurst were opposed.

The committee eventually voted to send the matter to council with no recommendation.