The motion passed was “That Council supports a youth centre being established in the old Glen Innes Council Chambers and that Council commits to the operational and upkeep of the building”.

There was a fierce division between those in favour and those on the losing side who said the money wasn’t there.

At one stage, two councillors, Glenn Frendon and Steve Toms, confronted each other. Cr Frendon jabbed a finger towards the mayor to which Cr Toms said: “That’s aggressive behaviour”. Cr Frendon retorted instantly: “No. It’s robust discussion”.

The debate was emotional. Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks’ voice quivered as she talked about some of the young people in Glen Innes who are in confrontation with the police and the High School. “We are concerned about our children”, she said. There were extremely poor familes “living in our town under our noses”.

She said that some came from deprived homes without basic amenities like washing machines. 

On the question of funding a youth centre, she believed that money could be got from funds allocated by the state for cultural facilities.  

It is not clear what happens next. Opponents of the proposal for a “youth hub” said the description was too vague. Who would supervise it, they wondered. Cr Jeff Smith wanted assurances that it would be drug free.

It’s not clear if the youth centre would be for “troubled youth” or for anyone, and what kind of supervision would be needed.

In the report to the meeting one of the officers of the council, Anna Watt, the director of corporate services, said: “I remind council that it has not allocated any funds in the 2018/19 Operational Budget, nor in the 10 year Long Term Financial Plan, for the establishment and funding of a youth centre.”

The broader background of the decision is that the council is now split, with the mayor and his two usual allies often out-voted.