One way of determining the performances of a council is via a comparison with others. This admittedly throws up many challenges since categories and definitions are vague and elusive. However, there are some basic figures that can be compared so that we know for sure that we are not looking at apples versus oranges! Staffing and staffing costs provide a way in.
In the 2017/18 draft budget, Glen Eira announces a $4.18 million increase in staff salaries plus a $2.38 million increase in contractor costs. For staff expenditure, this means nearly a 6% increase on the 2016/17 budget figures. We’re also told that the total staff cost is $72 million and total income for council is roughly $174 million. Staff numbers are also projected to go up by just under 20 EFT for the upcoming financial year making a grand total of 810.7 equivalent full time staff. Please remember that ‘contractors’ are not considered as ‘employees’!
So how does all this compare with other councils? Glen Eira, despite ‘restructuring’ its directorship numbers, still remains top heavy in our view. Here are some stats from other councils according to their budgets –
Glen Eira Debates 
May 15, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Staff wages keep going up well above inflation. Not sustainable. My wages haven’t gone up that much in years.
May 15, 2017 at 3:35 PM
Well, one could say that for once we are the leaders in the field, which would be cause to clap our hands. Sadly we lead in waste, overstaffing and overpaying, which might be tolerable, if the results on the ground matched this outla. However what we get for our bang, in most cases is very mediocre outcome across most departments, excepting the arts, which I believe punches well above its weight in quality.
Notwithstanding we have the lowest amount of open space to manage in Victoria. To put this in perspective; Glen Eira manages less than 20% of the what most other councils have to manage in land area, which should lead to a colossal savings in staffing, machinery outlay and replacement, purchase of plants, fuel etc. This is a figure that should be put under the microscope, because our open space is nothing special to compare with or neighbouring municipalities, in most cases our parks are far worse in appearance and appeal.
What is happening here?
May 15, 2017 at 9:31 PM
Glen Eira contracts out most of its basic functions. Once upon a time it had its own garden and park staff. That’s now tendered out. So is traffic management. The budget says that $33 million goes to contractors. That’s a huge amount and if added onto the staff calculations the percentage would be much closer to 50% of rates instead of the 41%. I don’t think this is cost effective. If anyone has more knowledge on this please let us know.