Dear Berry Forum Committee,

With regard to your question, the main issues relate to transparency, inclusiveness, and the need for broader community representation across different age groups and perspectives. Specific issues and suggestions are outlined below:

  1. Email List Access & Verification.

The Forum’s email list login and password should be made available to all committee members for review and verification. The list should be independently audited to confirm accuracy, ownership, and authenticity of recipients. We are happy to fund the verification process and contribute towards any marketing or administrative efforts required to expand the database so that it includes as many local residents and ratepayers as possible.

  1. Conflict of Interest & Separation

The Forum must be fully separated from any personal or other community activities undertaken by Stuart, such as the Finance Committee. This principle should apply to all current and future committee members, ensuring that no personal interests overlap with Forum matters.

  1. Leadership

The President and meeting chair role should be transitioned to Peter Saul or another newly appointed, neutral person.           We also believe Robyn and John would be valuable returning members of the committee. Having spoken to both, it is my belief (though not their confirmed statement) that they may consider rejoining if genuine change and inclusivity are reflected.

We acknowledge and respect the contributions of Stuart and Judith, and recommend they remain actively involved, working collaboratively alongside newly elected members to support a healthy transition. There is nothing personal against any individual; this is simply a call for diversification and renewal.

  1. Political Neutrality

The Forum must cease all political involvement, commentary, or perceived affiliations. Any member found to be politically active or biased should be removed immediately to uphold an apolitical stance. This will be a key principle moving forward.

  1. Sub-Committee Formation

A new sub-committee should be formed to oversee:

  • Creation of an official Forum social media presence.
  • Design and delivery of a community-wide survey (to all Berry residents and ratepayers) to identify communication preferences, priorities, and local interests.

We are happy to personally fund the establishment of these communication channels and contribute to the ongoing costs of maintaining relevant and consistent engagement with the community.

  1. Committee Policies

Clear and transparent governance policies should be introduced, including:

  • Term limits for committee members and office-bearers.
  • Minimum attendance requirements for meetings.
  • A balanced mix of committee members from different ages, professions, and backgrounds.

The current committee does not reflect the diversity of today’s Berry community. There should be representation from those under 30, under 40, under 50 and of course some current committee members, as well as a variety of professional and social perspectives.

(Additional ideas are being developed and will be presented in person.)

  1. Transparency in Governance

Allow community input into committee meeting agendas. A pre-meeting survey or submission process should be introduced, allowing residents to propose and vote on topics of interest.

Publish minutes of all committee meetings across all available platforms. Include in the minutes:

  • All correspondence in and out.
  • Community submissions.
  • Purpose and outcomes of any meetings held with community members.

Never name and shame individuals under any circumstances. There is no benefit to this whatsoever.  Verify all information in depth prior to publishing about all third parties.

  1. Development Protocol

Establish a clear, community-endorsed framework for assessing which developments to object to, ensuring decisions are consistent, fair, and representative. Similarly, identify and publicly support positive developments that align with community benefit and sustainability. The Forum must not be seen as anti-change or anti-development.

  1. Annual Reporting

Introduce an annual public report detailing membership diversity, meeting attendance, key achievements, and how community feedback has directly influenced Forum decisions.

  1. Collaboration with Other Community Groups

Strengthen relationships with local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Berry Show Society, and Berry Garden Club.  Collaborate and cross-promote initiatives to broaden community reach and shared benefit. These organisations have all demonstrated a strong willingness to contribute to Berry’s progress and should be seen as valuable partners.

Final Notes

There are a few additional matters that relate to specific individuals within the current committee, which we believe are best discussed in person.

This list continues to evolve in collaboration with a growing number of community members who, at this stage, wish to remain anonymous.

I am simply acting as a representative of their collective input and i want no part in the committee personally. Other than to assist where needed with resources to with offset and funding burden in order to change.

Please take this as an open invitation to engage in peaceful and constructive discussions aimed solely at benefiting the community, which remains the top priority for all involved.

Kind regards,
Peter Yannopoulos

 

Analysis of the proposals against Council’s CCB Guidelines

Clause 1.2(h)  The proposed takeover of the Forum by a special interest group, replacing the Chair and other Committee members with nominated “newly elected members” is contrary to Clause 1.2(h)

Clause 1.6 By claiming to speak “on behalf of many members” and offering to fund Forum activities, the correspondence introduces precisely the type of external influence that Clause 1.6 cautions against. CCBs must reflect a collective community view.

Clause 2.4 Council funds the administration of CCBs. Private funding would undermine the CCB’s neutrality and introduce a personal stake in the Forum’s activities..

Clause 4.3 The Committee must be elected at the AGM. Proposing to replace the Chair and other Committee members elected at the AGM on 16 October is contrary to the prescribed election process defined in Clause 4.3 and Section 4(a) of the Forum Constitution.

Clause 5.5 Clause 5.5 does not authorise third-party access to member contact lists, emails or passwords. Privacy and data protection are key concerns.

Clause 5.6 Clause 5.6  does not require public disclosure of all inward/outward emails. Publishing emails and names risks breaching privacy and defamation standards.

Clause 6.1(b) Targeting committee membership based on perceived politics risks conflicting with the CCB’s ability to represent the whole community