The various ‘Records of Assembly’, brief as they are, still contain some fascinating items. One that really caught our eye was – “At conclusion of Assembly of Councillors a Councillor only meeting took place with a Note Taker present.” We simply ask – who was the Notetaker? Was the Notetaker really ‘independent’ as per a contract? How much did this little tete a tete cost ratepayers if the Notetaker was an ‘outsider’ under contract? What was the purpose of this meeting? Could it have anything to do with Newton’s contract?
Then from the same meeting we get this: ‘Cr Penhalluriack – a Court Order to remove a Plane tree in Murrumbeena’. Given that this is a Court Order, rather than a VCAT order, we can only assume that another court case has taken place and that Council has been thumped. So the question again is – how much did this cost ratepayers? Were barristers, QCs or merely a solicitor involved? Did it need to go to court? Could council have averted court proceedings in any shape or form?
Two items that appear under the in camera discussions deserve comment. One relates to another sporting oval resurfacing for ‘more than $350,000’ at Lord Reserve. We wonder what the final cost will actually be? There’s also this tit bit under ‘personnel’ and Occupational Health and Safety Compliance? Again, we can only speculate, but has this anything to do with worker safety at the mulch heap, or possibly another issue altogether? The real question is will ratepayers be footing any bills or payouts on this little number?
Finally, Glen Huntly’s comment deserves taking up. $7.5 million has now been forecast for the ‘development’ of Booran Rd. Reservoir. Given that no plans have as yet surfaced (officially) for this site, then how can any sum be assigned and what is this money for? What are the mega plans that have possibly already been concocted – once again, without community input?
Glen Eira Debates 
April 24, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Money, money, money. How much, where’s it go, and where’s it recorded so that ordinary mugs like me can follow the creative accounting efforts of this mob. Just out of interest I’ve looked up a couple of old budgets and to my astonishment found that ‘corporate counsel’ budget is over $300,000 a year. Pretty hefty sum for Ms. Graham and her consorts. This though doesn’t tell me where the money is that has to pay for council bloopers such as court cases, lawyers, pay outs and all the rest of such stuff. Bet that would make for a nice little tally.
April 24, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Fed Up I cannot believe your ignorance. Council is Audited by the External and Internal Auditors, constantly under the review of the Audit Committee and the CEO, and the Budget is set by the Councillors and belongs to the Councillors. Setting the Budget is the greatest controll Council has over the Organisation. Are you really that ignorent to assume Corporate Council fails to pull it;s weight.Please give us a few examples of “council bloopers”.
April 24, 2011 at 8:35 PM
Help!!!! Impossible to debate with someone who seems incapable of understanding plain English. In the first place the budget ain’t set by councillors. They merely vote in what is presented to them. They have no real say in what goes into the budget. In most normal councils they would – but certainly not in Glen Eira. Then there is your assertions about the Audit Committee. Well, we’ve seen how thoroughly they do there job already! What you don’t seem to get Anonymous is that I’m asking about funding and accounts and where the money is coming from to pay off blunders. This isn’t itemised in any budget, in any resource plan, and certainly not in any Annual Report. My quetion is simple – what did the solicitor appearing at the c60 panel hearings cost us? Where is this recorded? Does it come out of the $300,000+ that’s listed for Graham> If it doesn’t, then which account does it come out of. Now there’s been a court case about plane trees. What did this cost and again, where is the accounting for this. For all I know council could be in court every single day and we get to hear nothing about this, nor do we get to know how much of our rates are being used to pursue cases. That’s what this is about – openness and transparency and public disclosure as happens in all proper organisations – but not in glen eira.
then there’s so called consultancies. Where’s the money for them coming from and how much does each consultancy cost? I’m entitled to know these facts since I’m bloody well paying for them andI want proof that my rates are being used appropriately and not being spent on wild goose chases through the courts. If you can’t follow all this, then I just feel sorry for you Anonymous
April 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM
There is a Council meeting on Wednesday and you have the Right to ask Public Questions. Instead of raising Conspirecy Theories and using inuendo why don’t you ask Council . That is your right. Use it.