Here are some ‘highlights’ from councillor and public questions from 2005. Readers should remember that recent council meetings also contained public questions on: mayoral elections and qualifications; councillor conduct; planning and ‘confidentiality’. And of course the Municipal Inspector’s report on the Newton reappointment process. The more things change the more they stay the same in Glen Eira!
“Considering that the land for the Rosanna Street Nursing Home was re-zoned from Public Park & Recreation Zone to Residential 1 Zone, what Open Space Contribution is to be levied on this development and to what purpose will this levy be applied.” (12th December, 2005)
“Can Cr Feldman assure us that there were no meetings by six Councillors to decide on the Mayor and why did many residents know who was going to be mayor before the vote took place?” (12th December, 2005)
“The Whelan report concludes that the responses given to the Inspector in relation to the reason why some former Councillors changed their mind re the appointment of the CEO were not credible (page 86). On the 15th May 2005 the former Mayor, Margaret Esakoff, in response to a request from the community to explain Council’s behaviour in relation to this issue was not as open as possible about the Council’s decision in that she was unable to give reasons why Council delayed the reappointment of the CEO, nor was she able to explain why it would not have been in the public interest to do so, and I quote: ‘I do not believe there is any value to be gained delving into the minutiae of who did what, when and to whom and nor do I think it is appropriate. What is important is that the matter is resolved and we can now move on.’ Under the draft Code of Conduct and/or the provisions of the Local Government Act it is expected that Councillors are open and accountable for their decisions. What recourse does the community have should its elected representatives flaunt the Code or the Act?” (10th October, 2005)
…. At present with its corporate structure and culture community representatives are advising only the Committees of Friendly Cities (10), Finance (3), and Arts & Culture (1), 14 in all. All other Advisory Committees have no Community Representatives. Officers and self-appointed Councillors that change each year run those Advisory Committees. Given that the State Government requires Councils to consult extensively with its communities on strategic directions using Melbourne 2030 Framework, and as part of the Sustainability Accord: 1. What steps has the Council Administration taken to involve broadly and in depth the Glen Eira community in its continuous planning processes? 2. Has the Council administration considered emulating the Consultation processes of Glen Eira creators? (10th October, 2005)
“Will Council provide an explanation as to why Cr Goudge singled out certain members of the public gallery on 13th December 2004 and made disparaging remarks about them by saying, and I quote from the official minutes of that meeting, “they are prone to have a bit too much to drink”? Is this acceptable and approved behaviour by an elected representative of the community? (23rd May, 2005)
Cr Goudge asked the CEO, “I’m interested to receive advice on what types of documents that senior Council Officers including yourself are privy to that are off limits to elected Councillors?”
The CEO responded suggesting that it would be better if he provided written advice. He added; “documents that are involved in the transaction of Council business are generally available to Councillors. Documents which are covered by, for example the privacy act where the purpose for Council having the document or having the information is not related to matters that are before the Council would not be generally available.”
Cr Goudge asked the CEO, “Just so that I understand, there are some documents that are available to senior Council Officers but not available to Councillors even under request of FOI?”
The CEO responded saying; “There would be lots of those, yes, for example, personnel files.” (2nd May, 2005)
“In Council minutes of 7/2/05, CEO Newton reported that there were only 4 ‘outstanding reports’. On this basis: 1. Will Council acknowledge the minute’s inaccuracy since Cr Esakoff on 1/12/03 requested a report on Elster Creek Trail? 2. Will Council account for the reasons for this inaccuracy? 3. Will Council inform the community as to why this report is still outstanding after 16 months?4. Will Council inform the community as to its official protocols and time limits in dealing with petitions? 5. Will Council explain why the Elster Creek ‘petition’ was refused tabling in light of the fact that its website refers simply to instructions as a ‘guide to wording’?” (11th april, 2005)
“Why has Glen Huntly been allowed to degenerate/deteriorate into a run-down shopping strip, in marked contrast to Carnegie, Bentleigh & Elsternwick?” (21st March, 2005)
“That a report be prepared on the potential to amend the Local Law in respect of the election of a Mayor to allow an opportunity for nominees and/or candidates to speak for up to five minutes prior to any vote to elect a Mayor.” The MOTION was put and CARRIED unanimously. (7th February, 2005)
“It would appear that most items of interest to the Community are classed as confidential”
“It was reported in the “Leader” that Cr Esakoff would work towards bringing harmony within the Council Chambers. Would Cr Esakoff be prepared to share with the ratepayers of Glen Eira: 1. Her plan to achieve this goal 2. the time line in which she proposes to achieve her goal 3. the cost to the Glen Eira Ratepayers to achieve this goal and 4. how will the Glen Eira Ratepayers be able to measure her success or failure to achieve this goal?”
“Would Council assure ratepayers that open Government will be restored in Glen Eira forthwith. How can the events of this evening be justified in what is meant to be a democratic and accountable Council?”
“The Statutory Planning report claims (14.1) “Decisions made for this quarter are higher than applications received” yet total of active applications is higher in Nov & Dec – 04. Why? Also would it not be better to show an index of Decisions Made/Applications received and by Council, Office, Manager & DPC for number of appeals which also are reported to show about a 20% increase over previous years. Why is this? (28th Feb, 2005)
Glen Eira Debates 
January 14, 2011 at 11:38 AM
The questions that all of these people asked may well have been answered. That I don’t know. To my way of thinking however, they should never have been asked if this council would be doing its job properly. If policies and reports are clear and precise, and if people are able to find the information they need easily, then many of the questions asked would have been avoided. Yet six years later we’re still getting the same sorts of problems and questions. I remember reading the Leader about a year ago complaining about GlenHuntly Road and how run down it was. Council’s solution was to plant a few trees. I also remember reading somewhere on this blog comments about the lack of residents on committees – and so it goes on and on. The same issues, the same questions, but no real answers, actions and solutions.
When there is no visible sense of improvement and no apparent attempt to address these concerns, then residents have every right to feel betrayed by their councillors. For me this is all about the failure of governance and as others have said a paranoia about secrecy – all under the guise of ‘privacy’. Democracy should be about the public interest first and foremost, not about such lamentable excuses as privacy. Without public disclosure corruption is allowed free reign.
January 14, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Whilst I agree with most of what you’ve said, methinks you’ve missed one vital point – Goudge’s question to Newton. Here we have the full admission – in black and white. This is the tactics that are used time and time again to curry favour with certain councillors and to exclude others. Newton has the information that is vital for councillors to make decisions. He and Burke are the gatekeepers to everything. This is doled out, not equally, but as they deem fit and to those individuals they deem important enough to know this information and who in all probability will do their bidding. The fact that the information has again, in all probability been doctored is another weapon that is used. They orchestrate everything and councillors are none the wiser and powerless to do anything unless they speak out publically – that’s if they’ve even cottoned on to such tactics. Remember that secrecy abounds! In this way division is created and maintained. The reply of privacy is pure bullshit – and who decides if something is private? Newton of course.
This is why there have been 3 investigations and why council has been dysfunctional ever since this man set foot in Glen Eira. Yes, it might all be legal, but it certainly isn’t ethical and certainly does not provide good government. All it does is ensure that his power base remains intact and his willing sub lieutenants (who are extremely well paid) will continue to toe the line. It’s councillors who cop the criticism and the wrath of the community. They are in the front line, but the strings are being pulled ever so tightly from behind the scenes. He and Burke must be gotten rid of – only then can Glen Eira move forward.
January 14, 2011 at 3:55 PM
I’m home after 3 months O/S and nothing has changed. According to these last couple of posts I could have stayed away for 6 or seven years and nothing would have changed. Ho hum!