The Local Government Act stipulates that councils, or CEOs, MAY declare items as confidential and that they be discussed in camera. This is NOT a requirement – merely a safeguard for personal or highly sensitive financial contracts. That seems fair enough, but as we’ve commented almost ad nauseum, Glen Eira appears to take this clause as applying to practically everything! We’ve highlighted the Grill’d affair and also the continual reappointment of the external audit committee members and asked each time – why have these items been declared confidential and why was no announcement made post discussion?

These are not the only items that give cause for concern. We’ve gone through all the 2011 council meeting minutes and listed below items which were declared confidential, discussed in camera and the results of which were not announced in the public minutes. Many of the items appear pretty straight forward. That is contracts. So again we ask: why is it that some contracts are made public and others have ‘top secret’ stamped on them? What is the criteria – especially when we’re looking at such possibly innocuous items as redesigning the Glen Eira News, collection of green waste, etc. Is it simply a great way to cover up ‘expenses’ – especially in relation to GESAC, since it then becomes extremely hard to really know how much this facility is costing?

These contracts undoubtedly run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The community has a right to know what is being paid and to whom. Glen Eira Council operates on different principles all together. We believe it is time that explanations were offered for the contradictions inherent in this list and that Newton’s exclusive powers to declare items as ‘confidential’ came under full scrutiny by councillors.

Please note: we have excluded all those items which refer to ‘legal advice’ and those which pertain to ‘personnel’ – apart from the audit committee one. The list reads:

  • 12.1 under s89 (2) (e) “proposed developments” which relates property in Oakleigh Road, Carnegie
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates Council approved contracts
  • 12.2 under s89 (2)(a) “personnel” which relates to Audit Committee Membership
  • under s89 (2) (e) “proposed developments” which relates to Centre Road, Bentleigh
  • under s89 (2)(e) “proposed developments” which relates to possible measures to protect trees
  • 12.2 under s89 (2)(e) “proposed developments” which relates to possible interim controls over some areas within Glen Eira
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the Yarra Yarra Golf Club
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the green waste disposal.
  • under s89(2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the appointment of a supplier for the leasing of photocopier services to Council and for the provision of ‘pay by copy’ services.
  • under s89(2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the appointment of a panel of providers for the provision of IT Products & Services under the categories of IT Hardware, Infrastructure and Services
  • under s89(2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the appointment of a vendor for the provision of Microsoft software products and associated services such as training, documentation and ongoing support.
  • under s89 (2) (e) “proposed developments” which relates to land formerly owned by the Melbourne Racing Club becoming Crown Land.
  • under s 89(2) (d) “contractual” which relates to the construction of GESAC
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to works by South-East Water.
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to appoint a panel of suppliers for the procurement and disposal of vehicles
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to Council approved contracts
  • under s89 (2) (e) “proposed developments” which relates to kindergarten facilities
  • under s89 (2)(e) “proposed developments” which relates to child care
  • under s 89 (2)(e) “proposed developments” which relates to Bent Street, Bentleigh
  • under s 89 (2) (e) “proposed developments” which relates to the Clayton South landfill
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates GESAC electricity supply
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to the awarding of the contract for Tender 2012.023 Design Services for Glen Eira News
  • under s89 (2)(d) which relates to the awarding of the GESAC cleaning contract.
  • under Section 89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to a licence agreement for land at Jersey Parade, Carnegie
  • under s89 (2)(d) “contractual” which relates to works in Allnutt Park, Halley Park and Bentleigh Hodgson Reserve as part of the South East Water Elster Sewer Safe Upgrade Program.