We’ve copied the following from ‘The Mayne Report’ as another example of what occurs in other councils. Firstly, there are transcripts/audio recordings; secondly the non existence of the ‘no surprises’ policy where councillor questions have to be written and submitted days ahead, and last but not least, the Mayor’s endorsement of the fact that councillors are entitled to ask whatever questions they wish of other councillors since ‘there is a right to be able to do it’. In Glen Eira such ‘rights’ have been continually and deliberately eroded.
“Mayor Geoff Gough: Cr Mayne, any questions?
Cr Stephen Mayne: Yes Mr Mayor, I note that the former mayor Charles Pick has made a fairly rapid transition from mayor of Manningham to lobbyist for local developers and I was just wishing to ask you whether we as a council need to develop a protocol about the appropriate way to engage with our former mayor now that he is financially engaged by local developers to achieve planning outcomes in Manningham.
Mayor Geoff Gough: (after conferring with CEO Lydia Wilson) Mr Goldsworthy.
EGM Corporate Services, Steve Goldsworthy: Through you Mr Mayor, there are provisions in the Local Government Act that deal with misuse of position and they apply both to current councillors and past councillors. And there are a number of provisions that are referred to, but one is in relation to information that comes to a councillor, or a member of a special committee for that matter, by virtue of their position. So it’s not information that would be readily in the community sphere. So that’s probably the extent of the legislative provisions. It may well be though that if councillors feel uncomfortable with contacts being made by a former mayor and feel that there may be community perceptions that would flow from those contacts and from developments that might occur, then it may well be worthwhile for the council to develop a protocol that councillors feel comfortable with.
Cr Stephen Mayne: In light of the fact that I’ve received calls (from former mayor Pick) canvassing and requesting information and feedback as to my feelings on things like the Coptic Church and the Mathieson pokies venue in the Yarra Valley Country Club. And in light of the former mayor’s intense activity within the council on a continuing basis, I’m asking you Mr Mayor whether you think that we, at a political level, as a group of councillors, need to actually sort of formalise the protocols around which a former mayor, active still inside the council, about how we as politicians should engage with that individual in light of the fact that he is now paid by developers to achieve development outcomes in Manningham.
Mayor Geoff Gough: Well, people must be in receipt of news that I don’t know about, about the activities of our former mayor. But as far as I’m concerned I think Mr Goldsworthy’s explanation is correct. If you’ve got any further information about his activities, I don’t know.
Cr Mayne: just one more for Cr Macmillan. Cr Macmillan, is it correct that former mayor Pick advised you and helped in the specific wording of your motion that was rescinded this evening?
Cr Macmillan: I don’t have to answer and I won’t. It’s none of his business.
Cr Stephen Mayne: And a question for Cr Downie. Is Cr Downie aware of who sent the letter to a private school principal that was discussed in a meeting of councillors last night?
Cr Downie: I don’t have to answer.
Cr Mayne: I have no further questions, Mr Mayor.
Cr Macmillan: Mr Mayor, can I just object to this line of questioning. Yet again, we see the bullying tactics of a councillor using the valuable question time to ask misleading or insinuating questions to councillors. Is this appropriate?
Mayor Geoff Gough: Look I actually have to agree, that this question time is really to ask questions to get things onto the paper. I think other questions could be wisely put otherwise. It’s not the sort of behaviour that I would undertake at question time, but it is clearly, I suppose, someone’s rights to be able to ask that question. I would not be doing those sorts of questions and I think it brings council into disrepute and makes allegations that are unsubstantiated and unproven. It’s disappointing, I feel, that it’s happened. However, it has, and there is a right to be able to do it.
Glen Eira Debates 
January 13, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Questions never bring anyone into disrepute. Actions such as failing to answer questions does – something which our council is fantastic at doing. The bit about bullying is wonderful. If you don’t like the questions label them as bullying. Gosh this sounds familiar! But and a big but, is that unlike Newton and our fabulous councillors, Manningham hasn’t rushed off and spent probably thousands and thousands of their residents money to hire lawyers to try and get even with Mayne or to silence him. This kind of stuff can only happen in Glen Eira and under the repeated tactics of Newton.
January 13, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Anon 1 what planet do you live on. Mayne’s questions are loaded with allegations and accusations and are asked in a cowardly manner as the person he is questioning is most probably not present and there is probably no forum for reply.
January 13, 2012 at 11:37 AM
You’ve got some real comprehension problems Noel! Read carefully and you’ll note that the councillors who were asked questions were present. They said “I don’t have to answer” – that was their forum and their pathetic answer plus of course attacking the messenger. I also reckon that you need to go back to your dictionary and discover the difference between question, allegation and accusation. In Glen Eira these all mean the same and it’s about time you got off the coward stuff. That’s becoming really boring.
January 13, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Anon show me where it says Mr Pick was present?
January 13, 2012 at 12:15 PM
Pick wasn’t present and Mayne’s questions weren’t directed to him – they were directed to the councillors who refused to answer. The facts as laid out by Mayne speak for themselves. Pick is a paid lobbyist (“financially engaged”) working for a developer. End of story. Mayne isn’t worried about Pick but about how his fellow councillors are dealing with the issue. So get off your high horse.
January 13, 2012 at 12:29 PM
While the Local Government Act does prescribe some aspects of Council meetings (eg what must at a minimum go into the Minutes), it mostly leaves it to Councils to decide their own meeting procedures via Local Law. Glen Eira’s Local Law provides for Councillors to ask questions, but doesn’t require anybody to answer them. It is not surprising that several councillors in Manningham don’t wish to answer the questions Cr Mayne asks, just as it no longer surprises me that responses provided by Glen Eira councillors and officers frequently fail to answer the questions asked. Secrecy has become so commonplace that the people involved cannot perceive how inappropriate their behaviour has become.
I recently discovered a Paper that gives insight into some of the problems we have with governance in Glen Eira: “Active Transport To School: A Study Of Political Barriers In Glen Eira”. The paper compares the behaviour and institutional culture of two Councils, Boroondara and Glen Eira, with respect to Active Transport to School (ATS) policy. The comments about culture and and in particular the influence of Glen Eira’s CEO are noteworthy.
January 15, 2012 at 10:55 PM
I don’t understand. Mayne’s questions are assumed correct on what basis? He was the Editor and owner of a rag called Crickey. I would not believe a word he states.