POLICE authorisation to take minors to a safe place under the Parental Responsibility Act remains unauthorised, Orange City Council's Tuesday night meeting revealed.
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The act, which allows police to remove minors from a situation they deem unsafe and take them either home or to safe care, is only used in Orange due to growing documentation requirements.
A meeting earlier this year with state government representative yielded verbal confirmation an extension would be allowed but community services director Scott Maunder revealed the necessary written correspondence had not been received.
Mayor Reg Kidd said parliament would soon rise for the winter break.
"After tomorrow, they're not there for the next two to three months," he said.
"If it only requires a signature, I'll ride a bike down there."
The draft budget will be put out for public exhibition following a vote.
Councillor Tony Mileto gauged support to increase funding to the villages from $25,000 to $40,000.
Councillor Jeff Whitton was elected unopposed as finance committee chair after councillor Joanne McRae resigned her position at the last meeting.
He said he would have to resign his current position of infrastructure policy committee chair, which will prompt another vote in the future.
Cr Whitton's motion on easing procurement restrictions passed, but not without concern from councillors it could prompt anti-competitive practices.
A three-storey unit block in Hampden Avenue passed despite heritage concerns from a neighbour.
Here's how the meeting unfolded...