For those who may not know the works of Kafka, we strongly recommend The Trial & The Castle. In their own way both chronicle the crazy, manipulative world of bureaucracy gone mad. Events of this afternoon in Council Offices would fit very nicely into the nightmarish world of Kafka. Below is the chronology of these events:

  • Cr Penhalluriack had written to Mayor Esakoff informing her that he wished to inspect the Register of Interests and his own Personnel File as every resident is entitled to do under the Local Government Act and the Information Privacy Act. That he would come to the reception desk to pick up the documents. No response was forthcoming from Esakoff.
  • Penhalluriack arrived at the prescribed time last week only to be informed that the documents were not available since he  had not filled out the required form. This was then filled out and this afternoon’s ‘Pick up’ time was again transmitted to Mayor Esakoff in writing.
  • Penhalluriack invited a resident to accompany him as a witness
  • Upon arrival the Operational Manager of Civic Compliance met both at the Reception desk and invited them into a separate room where Council’s Privacy Officer (Rachel Kenyon) was waiting.
  • Following introductions, the resident witness was informed that the Register of Interests was only available to Cr.  Penhalluriack since the required form was not filled out by the resident.
  • Kenyon informed the group that the documents were available for inspection only until 4pm (arrival at the offices had been  shortly after 3pm). When questioned as to whether there is a time limit on ‘inspection’ Kenyon responded that that is when she finished work and that if more time is required then another request, and appointment must be made – and presumably another form filled out!
  • When Penhalluriack asked some general questions of Kenyon her reply was that she was there to ‘discharge her duties under the Local Government Act and NOT TO COMMUNICATE’ and that all questions be forwarded in writing to Paul Burke. The resident then asked whether the Local Government Act also forbade ‘communication’? No answer!
  • Penhalluriack then stated that he had been directed to forward all requests via the Mayor and that he had complied with  this. He then asked Kenyon whether she believed he was bullying or harassing her. The response – ‘No comment’.
  • Penhalluriack inspected the register and took notes. Upon completion he requested to see his Personnel File. Kenyon responded that she knows nothing about this and that the matter be taken up with Paul Burke. Penhalluriack then wanted to know if the Mayor was available. Kenyon left the room to check. She returned shortly after and informed everyone that  the ‘Mayor was busy’. The meeting then concluded.

COMMENT

Council officers are there to do the bidding of councillors and not the other way around. These events are inexcusable – legally, morally, and socially. Every resident has the right to be informed (and inspect) the information that council has collected about them, as well as to inspect the Register of Interests. If councillors can be treated in this obnoxious and deliberately obstructive fashion, then what does it say about the potential treatment of ordinary citizens? Esakoff’s seeming complicity in these events also deserve the spotlight.