That a matter concerning a request from Council’s Solicitors, Norton Rose, dated 15 July 2010 seeking instructions from Council to allow them to meet a 23 July 2010 deadline be treated as a matter of Urgent Business. And that this item of Urgent Business be dealt with in the Confidential part of this Council Meeting as the first item of business under S.89(2)(f) Legal Advice.

 

The MOTION was put and CARRIED unanimously  (July 20th Council Minutes).

Thus the public is informed (for want of a better word!) of the behind the scenes machinations of Glen Eira Council and the saga surrounding the (re)appointment of the CEO. Putting one and two together, we surmise the following:

  1. Only a court of law, or the Municipal Inspector would set a deadline
  2. Norton Rose (and the $40,000 going their way til now) were the legal eagles involved in the reappointment process – hence it’s reasonable to conclude that this is more of the same
  3. The motion was moved by Whiteside and Magee – devotees of Newton. Both had also voted in favour of an investigation months ago

In April this year, via a leak to the Caulfield Leader, the community learnt that a Municipal Inspector was investigating Glen Eira. This makes it 3 investigations in the space of 12 years – surely a record? The Inspectorate’s newsletter in turn, makes it abundantly clear that their function includes (and we quote):

  • Investigating allegations against councillors and senior council officers concerning breaches of the Local Government Act 1989
  • Conflict of interest
  • Budgets
  • Code of conduct
  • Councillor and mayoral allowances
  • Local Laws
  • Procurement processes
  • Chief executive officer appointment process
  • Primary/ordinary register of interests         
  • Delegations

 

Clearly, the current investigation is about much more than mere ‘minutes’ of any meeting as claimed by Lipshutz in a Caulfield Leader letter several months ago. We can only speculate, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that the major catalyst and central issue is, and probably always has been, the (re)appointment of the CEO.  The sudden ‘Urgent Business’ Item of Tuesday night’s council meeting, only strengthens this supposition. 

But what are the consequences for the municipality?

We appear to have reached a state of total inertia. Everyone is watching their backs, everyone is gagged, and the community again kept in the dark. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, one thing is absolutely clear. The decade long malaise of this council continues. It is a council divided, in spite of all the ‘club’ propaganda and motherhood statements to the contrary. To put it bluntly, councillors simply stuffed up as they did in 2005. The compromise ‘solution’ of a two year term will cost this community not only tens of thousands of dollars, but will continue to divide. Once again we are left with a dysfunctional governing body and a CEO fighting for his reputation.

This latest episode does no credit to anyone – councillors or administration.