In a close vote the council will now fall into line with many other councils by not providing alcohol.

The issue has been raised in the council in the past and was raised again at the October meeting as council considered the minutes of the organisation’s Occupational Health and Safety committee which detailed council’s move towards developing a Drug and Alcohol Policy for staff.

Cr Julie Lyford said councillors needed to show leadership on the issue and banning alcohol from being served with lunch was a positive step to take.

Cr Jerry Germon said she felt the issue was such an important one that it was one that should not be made when two councillors were absent from the meeting (both Cr Slack and Cr Webb had approved leave of absence for the October meeting).

“I think everyone should have an opportunity to be involved in the issue. It’s something we need to debate,” she said.

Acting Mayor Cr John Rosenbaum said that he believed that councillors needed to show leadership on the issue.

“I think community and public expectations today would find it difficult to believe that it still continues.”

“Other councils find it totally unacceptable, we need to move on,” Cr Lyford said.

In a four-three vote council approved the motion to remove alcohol from lunches to demonstrate leadership in the organisation.