Wednesday night’s monthly meeting was one of the longest in recent years, and also one of the most fractious.

There was name-calling and grandstanding, and even instances of councillors talking among themselves as one of their colleagues addressed the chamber.

On the plus side, though, what we also on Wednesday night was a council making decisions – even if some were far from unanimous.

The night’s most contentious issue was the branding logo saga and we are all better off with the issue having been finally put to bed.

While a minority of councillors argued that a final decision on the logo design should be held over until the new year, a solid group of six – led by Cr Jess Jennings – wanted the matter finalised after weeks of criticism.

But the make-up of that group of six makes for some interesting viewing, particularly as they currently appear to have formed something of an informal – and unlikely – voting bloc.

Cr Jennings and Cr John Fry are perhaps the most like-minded of the group but, in political terms, they come from the Labor Party and The Greens. The parties may see eye-to-eye on many issues but there are also plenty of policy areas in dispute.

Cr Bobby Bourke is another in the group, yet he has little in common with either Cr Fry or Cr Jennings. But he is supported by Cr Jacqui Rudge, who owes her place on council to Cr Bourke’s popularity and the pair have voted together on all issues so far.

Then there is Cr Warren Aubin – ostensibly the most conservative of the group but someone who has brought a more measured approach to the chamber in the new term.

Which just leaves mayor Graeme Hanger who is not always required to vote but has had made a point of having his vote registered on as many issues as possible.

It’s not a tight alliance and it’s not hard to imagine it disintegrating in the new year.

But they worked together to produce a pragmatic result on Wednesday when it became apparent that a popular result would never be achieved, and sometimes that has to be good enough. The challenge for the other councillors is to now find a way in for the good of the community.