GE Governance

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May 24, 2012

Sloppy, Shoddy & Unforgiveable

Posted by gleneira under GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[2] Comments 

Budget papers are supposed to be an accurate representation of a council’s financial status, its assets, and forward planning. Budgets are also submitted to Ministers, the public, and Auditor Generals. We imagine that they would go through countless hands before they are made public; that they would be checked and double checked for accuracy and consistency. How the following then occurs is simply incomprehensible. This is only one example of what we consider to be totally unprofessional and sloppy performance.

We have followed through on 3 separate budgets at basically two year intervals – 2007, 2009 and the current 2012 budget. The focus is on the stated number of DRAINAGE PITS.

In 2007 it is stated that Council has 16,000 drainage pits (Minutes of May 15th 2007, page 5 of the budget)

In 2009 we’re told that Council has 17,000 drainage pits (Minutes of May 12th, 2009 – page 17 of the budget)

Perhaps there has been a magical increase of 1,000 in 2 years. However, the piece de resistance comes in this year’s budget.

On Page 32 of the Community Plan Glen Eira suddenly possesses 22,000 drainage pits! Amazing! Then on page 32 of the budget we suddenly are back to 16,000 drainage pits!!!!!!!! Which is it? Does this administration even know? Or are figures simply plucked from the air and any number will do? Who checked these papers? Who is responsible for the inconsistencies and spin?

PS: Some more very questionable figures –

2007 – 5,953 registered business providing 32,750 jobs

2009 –13,521 registered businesses providing 29,000 jobs

2012 –13,521 registered businesses providing  29,000 jobs

2007 – 57,7007 rateable properties

2009 – 58,609 rateable properties

 

 

May 23, 2012

Debate: Does It Really Exist?

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Council Meeting(s), GE Governance, GE Planning
[14] Comments 

We beg readers indulgence since we’re about to repeat ourselves. We have continually stated that residents have made it absolutely clear that their prime concern is inappropriate and/or over development. We have also stated that part of the problem is that far too much power is granted to officers via the delegations process and councillors rarely get a look in.

We’ve also remarked on how Tuesday night’s council meeting had a warm and fluffy feeling where everybody was congratulating everybody else for GESAC, for parks and gardens, and so forth. Yet, hidden away in the agenda there was another draft of delegations.

Residents should expect that what happens in chamber is more than back slapping and mutual admiration societies. That when important agenda items crop up (ie delegations, environmental sustainability) that there at least be ‘robust’ discussion and that these recommendations are not simply rubber stamped by a bunch of either disinterested or compliant councillors.

What we’ve done below is feature the time taken to decide on some of these agenda items as well as the discussion on the GESAC report. Readers should note that delegations warranted a bare 90 seconds of council time. Compare this to the amount of time expended on the back slapping!

9.1 GESAC

Moved Lipshutz; seconded Lobo

LIPSHUTZ: started off with explaining that GESAC opened on 7th May with a ‘soft opening’ and the official opening will be on 22nd June. The facility is an ‘unmitigated success…..beyond our wildest dreams….quickly taken up by members…..almost 5000 members….because 95%…is indoors (it can be used all year round)….(so the delay) ‘whilst unfortunate is not significant’…clubs haven’t used it fully (as yet because of) ‘mid season’….we expect that the next round of seasons’ (facilities will be taken up fully)….83 schools within (area)….’of course teething problems’…(such a success that contacted by Australian Properties & other councils and invited to) ‘nominate for an award for innovation’…’at the present moment this is the benchmark’…’feather in the cap’ (for this and previous councils and public for their vision)…’wonderful facility’

LOBO: GESAC is ‘a jewel in the crown of Glen Eira’….’privileged to be one of the foundation members’…’great place offering all year round health’…..’I visit GESAC twice a day’….4914 (members)….numbers skyrocketing….’was budgeted to cost $41.2 million and to the great financial management of this Council ….has paid $37 million’….(staff members live locally and work part time. Rest of speech was basically a regurgitation of the Newton provided Officers Report apart from the aside – ‘Glen Eira Debates and Glen Eira Residents’ Association need to take a positive look of this worthwhile project……(instead of negative)….’it takes courage to say a spade is a spade’….(Thanked the Steering committee – ie Lipshutz, Esakoff & Magee for their ‘fantastic’ job and Newton and his directors).

ESAKOFF: began by saying how as a child learning to swim at the Bentleigh pool the transition is ‘quite amazing’….seed that was planted back in 2005….consultation period….to watch it grow …through that process of design…..watching it grow and now seeing it in its full glory (an amazing experience)….(thanked government for subsidies).

MAGEE: GESAC ‘has no equal’…’gratifying to be a councillor at this time’….’this council is the major stakeholder’….’we are the ones that built it…..we couldn’t have done it without our community…..community through their rates will fund this…(community has endorsed GESAC and) ‘waited patiently’….(5000 members shows that community) ‘weren’t put off by GESAC opening that few months late’…..(took so long because of quality work) ‘the fittings, workmanship’….GESAC will be there for the next 50, 60 hopefully the next 100 years’….(thanked Waite and his department, but ultimately has to thank) ‘our CEO…without….(him the project wouldn’t be anywhere near the quality it is)….’nowhere near as successful …..’thank…from the bottom of my heart’….

TANG: ‘thrilled’ it’s open….’great disappointment that construction project that went behind time’….(visited on Sunday and compared to the pools of his youth. Place was packed with all range of ages)….(Numbers are ) ‘far beyond council’s expectations’ (and thus this isn’t just) ‘a white elephant, a monument to how big a building can we build’….’community facility’….(needs people and there are people there)….’budgetary aspect is certainly something that we have to report on’ (42 million and spent 37 million) ‘and hopefully not too much more’….we need to monitor carefully’….(courts were something community crying out for) ‘starting in the middle of the season….hasn’t been great….that’s the area for improvement’…..’have to get the people who are driving to Nunawading, driving to Albert Park (who don’t have these facilities to take up the ones at GESAC)

Asked CEO question about press reports on membership and compensation for members

NEWTON:  ‘members have not been charged anything up til now….(that will start this week and first debits in June as recognition that project was delayed and some of these people) ‘would have had to pay memberships at other places’….’that’s been very well received’

PILLING: agreed with other councillors and that he and his friends have been down and it is a ‘great facility’…..(said that) ‘there are some gaps’ (in the courts)…’that’s understandable given’ (missed start to season)….’aquatic features are full’ (whenever he’s visited. Hoped that over the next 6 months all the courts would be) ‘well utilised’…..’down the track we will have to consider Carnegie Pool…..I don’t think the success of GESAC should (influence Carnegie)…I’m looking forward to having an argument down the track….

HYAMS: ‘great work that many people have done’ (steering committee, ceo, staff members)….’there will be gaps in the high ball courts….because they can’t transfer over in time…(but expected to see them all busy in a couple of months)…’little parking left (when he’s gone done which is an indication of) ‘how well it’s going’…..’if anyone wants any indication of (what people think of it just look on Facebook site). …’most significant capital project for years and years to come’….(agreed that Carnegie Pool was a facility that should be retained)

LIPSHUTZ: Esakoff had spoken about ‘seeds’ and coming to fruition. Lipshutz then said that ‘someone has to plant that seed’ (Newton)…..(in 2005 when new council came in Newton told them) ‘what a mess our two pools were’…..’losing money hand over fist and he certainly planted a seed……(went on to say how hard the Pool steering committee had worked and Waite and his team)….’builder certainly tried to cut corners…because of the way our project team worked (corners) were not cut’…’previous pools were losing money….this pool is built to make money…it will also be a financial success….’.

PASSED UNANIMOUSLY – took approximately 18 minutes.

ITEM 9.2 quarterly report – 3 speakers – Pilling, Lipshutz, Tang. Approximately 7 minutes

Item 9.3 VCAT watch – 2 speakers – Lipshutz & Tang – approximately 5 minutes

Item 9.7 Park user surveys – 7 speakers Esakoff, Lipshutz, Tang, Magee, Pilling, Penhalluriack, Hyams – approximately 13 minutes

Item 9.8 – environmental report – 3 speakers – Tang, Pilling, Lipshutz – approximately 8 minutes

ITEM 9.9 DELEGATIONS – 1 speaker – Lipshutz

APPROXIMATELY 90 SECONDS AND THIS INCLUDES THE AMENDMENT/CHANGES PUT BY LIPSHUTZ.

 

May 22, 2012

Newton’s ‘Little Helpers’!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance
[8] Comments 

The following is taken from #5 of the O’Neill compiled set of allegations. This claimed: “That Councillor Penhalluriack is determined to terminate the employment of the CEO through non-renewal of his contract of employment based on his own personal feelings towards the CEO as opposed to the fulfilment of any KPIs or other objective criteria. This conduct has damaged the CEO’s reputation and standing, undermined the CEO in his employment and has caused the CEO stress, harm and hurt feelings.”

Part of the ‘evidence’ includes –

8 Oct 2010

 Councillor Lobo approaches the CEO and   informs him that he and his wife had lunch with Councillor Penhalluriack and   two guests of Councillor Penhalluriack. At that meeting the two guests had   said that Council’s problems were caused by the CEO. Councillor Lobo said   that he had disagreed with this.

9 Oct 2010

 Councillor Lobo later telephone (sic) the CEO on his mobile and   informed he (sic)  that he had forgotten to tell him that   Councillor Penhalluriack in response to a request from Lobo to vote for him   be (sic) Mayor had said: “No” and then ”I will if you get rid of Andrew Newton”.
 

May 20, 2012

GESAC: How Open & Transparent?

Posted by gleneira under GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[8] Comments 

We’re not accountants. We’re just ordinary citizens looking for answers and wondering why so much secrecy surrounds the financial dealings and details of GESAC. The latest items to raise eyebrows stem from the budget and the lack of detail as to rates and charges.

The Regulations (2004) define the mandatory ‘standard statement of cash flows’ as ‘a statement which shows all cash inflows and cash outflows from all activities of a Council during a financial year’. GESAC is now open. Charges for everything should certainly be known, and known in advance, if an adequate Business Plan exists. Yet GESAC does not feature in the ‘rates and charges’ section of the draft budget. Carnegie Swim Centre does, as does every other ‘service’ – even to the extent of booking rotundas and open space. GESAC, the largest financial unit,  is certainly conspicuous by its absence.

The ‘get out of jail card’ appears to be this vague and repeated paragraph:

“The 2012-2013 budget reflects user fees for GESAC of $6.9m. GESAC will provide a range of facilities and services including some never offered before and some which are subject to market forces. Some experience will be required in order to set charges for some of these facilities and services and adjust them from time to time. Separate arrangements will be established under which the Centre Manager will be able to manage charges within the Budget determined by Council”

This is surely an astounding statement for several reasons:

  • It flies in the face of accountability and transparency. With no itemised figures as to income how can anyone determine the veracity of anything? Is $6.9 million simply plucked from the air?
  • It provides carte blanche to officers – again without councillor knowledge as to precise details. Delegating such authority to officers as happened with the basketball allocations is simply another example of why full transparency is required
  • What does this reveal about Business Plans – do they in fact exist?

Our argument is that throughout the entire GESAC saga the public and probably most councillors have been kept in the dark. All we have ever had are vague statements of totals – without detail, without explanation and without real justification. Below are several more statements taken directly from the budget. We ask readers to consider them carefully and to ask themselves, several fundamental questions:

  • Do the figures really add up?
  • How are they derived?
  • Are you be satisfied that this explains fully what is going on with GESAC?

“The Centre is expected to generate income of $7.07m and incur costs of $6.77m. The financial impact of the Centre in 2012-13 is an estimated operating surplus of $297k”.

“The largest additional cost increases (over and above the 2011-12 forecast figures) are as follows:  Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre (GESAC) expenses $3.7m”.

When this Council has basically ensured that the next generation of residents will have a financial millstone around their necks, then it is even more incumbent on them to provide full and transparent financial details. Otherwise residents are fully entitled to believe that secrecy is the means for covering up a gaping black financial hole and that the reported figures belong to the land of fairy tales.

 

May 19, 2012

A Very Expensive Exercise!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[2] Comments 

Lawyer loses bully claim

Steve Butcher

May 19, 2012

A FORMER partner of a big Melbourne law firm has lost her claim for about $2.8 million damages after a judge rejected the claim she had been systematically bullied.

Fiona Brown had alleged a long-time friend and colleague at Maurice Blackburn Cashman had undermined, harassed and humiliated her and that the managing partner did nothing about it.

Ms Brown, a mother of three, who was head of the firm’s family law department, told the County Court she had been unable to work since November 2003 and had suffered psychiatric injury.

She claimed damages for pain and suffering of about $300,000 and total pecuniary loss damages of about $2.5 million.

But, in his decision yesterday, Judge John Carmody found she had not established that Lee Formica had ”unjustifiably abused, belittled, humiliated, threatened, undermined or bullied” Ms Brown in 2003.

Judge Carmody also rejected ”any suggestion” the evidence supported the allegation of conspiracy between Ms Formica and the managing partner, Michael Brett-Young.

Ms Brown recruited Ms Formica in 2000 and she was made acting head while Ms Brown was on maternity leave.

Judge Carmody concluded from an exchange of emails and evidence given by the ”protagonists” that each was under considerable personal and professional pressure.

They had exchanged ”regrettable” emails, but he did not accept that a reasonable person would classify them as communications that would victimise, humiliate, undermine or threaten Ms Brown, he said.

A later exchange of emails and related conversations he regarded as a ”classic storm in a teacup”.

Judge Carmody concluded, after examination of extensive medical opinion, that Ms Brown ”is suffering from significant depression with associated anxiety features”.

He did not find she had tried to ”deliberately mislead” the court but that at times her evidence was exaggerated and at others she ”downplayed the significance of events”.

”In short, [she] had focused completely all of her difficulties on what she perceived to be the injustice meted out to her whilst being employed at the defendant’s law firm,” he said.

He ordered costs, likely to run into six figures, against Ms Brown.

Her solicitor later told The Saturday Age they were reviewing the decision and considering whether to appeal.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/lawyer-loses-bully-claim-20120518-1yw4q.html#ixzz1vGX1t02F

 

May 18, 2012

Keeping The Bastards Honest!

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Council Meeting(s), GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[8] Comments 

Despite all the protestations that no-one at Council follows Glen Eira Debates it is amazing how often our posts have engendered some kind of verbal ‘feedback’ to our criticisms in actual council meetings. Words have also, at times, given way to real action. The latest example features in the agenda items for next Tuesday night.

We recently pointed out how the ‘measures’ included in the Council Plan for the past 4 years have NEVER been implemented as required. Whilst the measures promised to report on the NUMBERS of permits granted for Minimal Change and Housing Diversity Areas, this was never done. Instead there was the wonderful waffle of vague percentages. Well, we are very pleased to report that for the very first time that we are aware of, the Quarterly Report in relation to this objective actually does what is supposed to be done ie. “247 dwellings approved in minimal change area and 628 in housing diversity to the end of March (figures updated quarterly)”. This stands in contrast to the nonsense that was previously stated – ie. ‘75% of dwellings approved occurred in housing diversity area’. For this belated ‘improvement’, we unashamedly take some credit.

We haven’t been all that successful when it comes to delegations. The same old ceding of power to unelected officials continues unabated. We simply repeat here something that we wrote a year ago –

“We ask readers to consider the following comparisons between Glen Eira and other councils in order to assess how little control our elected representatives have over planning in this municipality and how little decision making by officers is accessible, transparent and accountable to the community.

For instance:

  1. Kingston, Darebin,   Moreland, Frankston, Banyule, Cardinia (amongst others) do not simply have  a ‘delegated planning committee’ (DPC) – they have decreed that such  committees are constituted as ‘Special Committees’. This means that      agendas are published, meeting schedules are published, minutes are published, residents officially address committees (some allow 5 mins), and most importantly the committees consist of councillors – all chaired by the Mayor. The role of officers is simply to present and/or provide  ‘advice’. This is a far cry from the manner in which DPC’s operate in Glen      Eira
  2. Many councils provide monthly reports to full council meetings where information is provided on: how many applications; how many permits granted by officers, DPC’s; how many refused by the various officers, etc. In Glen Eira, the only report      which is published is that which documents applications before VCAT. We   doubt if councillors, and certainly not the public, have any idea as to  the breakdown of applications and their acceptance or refusal.

There are many other differences as well –

  • ‘Councillor call in’ – where a single councillor has the power to ‘call in’ any application for decision at a full council meeting (Port Phillip; Cardinia; Bayside; Kingston; Banyule; Casey; Frankston to name but a few!)
  • Number of objections clearly specified as the trigger for panel or full council determination (often 5, some 10 – In Glen Eira we find the phrase ‘significant number’!)
  • Height levels that determine whether applications go to DCP, Council or officers. In Glen Eira two storey to be determined by officers alone)
  • Parking restrictions – ie. if a development intends to waive parking restrictions whether or not this should go to council or DCP (Port Phillip).”

Nothing like this of course, happens in Glen Eira

Item 9.1: GESAC

This report bears Newton’s name. We simply marvel at the sheer audacity of the following sentence and what it could possibly imply about the intelligence of residents?

“Government grants constituted 35% of the construction contract. Glen Eira ratepayers enjoy 100% of the facility after contributing 65% of the cost.”

Surely the ‘cost’ must include $2.5 million per year in interest for the next 10 or 15 years, plus running and maintainence costs; plus staff costs; plus insurance costs; plus setting up costs; plus lost income costs; plus tendering costs; plus more car park costs; plus road changes, traffic light installation costs; plus power supply costs. At a rough estimate just on interest alone the alleged $45-47 million project balloons out to between $70 – 80 million dollars. Does this then equal ‘65% of the cost’ or are residents just being fed more and more spin?

 

PS: CORRECTION. We’ve double checked the Quarterly Reports and despite the long standing requirement to report NUMBERS for dwellings in Minimal Change/Housing Diversity this did not happen until the Quarterly Report of November, 2011.

 

May 17, 2012

Good Or Bad?

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[6] Comments 

Announcement from the Local Govt Minister –

Administration to continue at Brimbank City Council

Thursday, 17 May 2012

The Victorian Government will introduce legislation next week to extend the Administration of the Brimbank City Council through until March 2015.

The decision to extend the period of Administration was recommended by two independent reports, has considerable community support and will help to ensure a return to stable, effective representative government at Brimbank City Council.

“The weight of advice provided by independent reports was such that the best course of action was to maintain Administration while work was finalised,” Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said.

“Both reports identified that the premature return to an elected council carries the very real risk of a return to the discredited and damaging practices of the past and the derailing of numerous important projects commenced under Administration.

“Subject to the passage of the legislation a rotation and refocusing will occur amongst the team of administrators at Brimbank.

“Jo Anderson and Meredith Sussex will step down at the end of October this year, roughly in line with the general Local Council elections.

“Peter Lewinsky will relinquish his role as Chief Administrator but remain a member of the Administration team.

“It is important to put on the record my personal thanks to the current Administrators for the outstanding job they have done at the council and acknowledge the role the former Minister Richard Wynne played in the decision to appoint them.

“The community of Brimbank have been fortunate to have the skills and dedication of Jo and Meredith working for them during this difficult period,” Mrs Powell said.

“The final phase of administration will feature a comprehensive community engagement strategy to prepare for the return of an elected council.

“I have asked the current Chair Peter Lewinsky to stay on as an administrator, thereby giving the team important continuity.

“John Watson, the current Executive Director of Local Government Victoria, will retire in October and will then assume the role of Chief Administrator at Brimbank.

“John Watson is highly respected for his skills and abilities throughout the sector and by both sides of politics.

“Upon learning of his intention to retire from LGV, I asked him to take on the role of Chair of the Brimbank Administrators.

“I can think of no-one better qualified to build on the work of the current Administrators and prepare the council for elections in March 2015,” Mrs Powell said.

The third administrator’s position will go to an individual with strong qualifications in community engagement.

 

 

May 17, 2012

Sound Familiar?

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance
[8] Comments 

Doyle in heated  row with councillor

Miki Perkins
May 17, 2012

Jackie Watts with Robert DoyleJackie Watts with Robert Doyle Photo: Teagan Glenane

ACCUSATIONS of  bullying  have surfaced at Melbourne City Council in a   series of fiery letters between lord mayor Robert Doyle and a  councillor.

Cr Jackie Watts, who joined the council last July, says Cr Doyle may be   engaging in ”harassment and bullying” against her and accuses him of  failing  to understand ”the basic principles of natural justice”

The spat was triggered by a letter from Cr Doyle’s office to Cr Watts  this  month, telling her he had  investigated a complaint about her by  the council’s  chief executive, Kathy Alexander.

In his letter, Cr Doyle  said he had decided not to proceed with a  formal  investigation.   But he noted the concerns were serious enough  that Cr Watts  could  be reported to either the Ombudsman or WorkSafe –  ”possibly citing  harassment or bullying”.

”The principal reason I have decided not to take a formal investigation   path is that the CEO has informed me that since her original complaint  to me,  your behaviour has changed radically and diametrically,” Cr  Doyle wrote.  He  said he was ”loathe” to take the matter to a conduct  panel or  investigation  by the chief municipal officer. ”Such public  processes can do no good to the  reputation of anyone involved,  especially yourself.

”I recognise that given your previous patterns of behaviour, you will  most  likely respond to this (final) email with a further series of  accusations,  interpretations and justifications … I will ignore it,”  the lord mayor  wrote.

Cr Watts responded this week, sending a copy of Cr Doyle’s letter and  her  response to   councillors, saying she was doing so in the interests  of  ”transparency and disclosure” and pointing out the lord mayor and  CEO had  decided not to pursue the matter.

In her response to Cr Doyle, she said his letter and earlier  correspondence  may ”constitute a course of harassment and bullying  conducted by you against  me … Having had the opportunity … to consider  your actions and demeanour  towards me it has become very clear to me  that you have no understanding or  appreciation of even the basic  principles of natural justice,” Cr Watts  wrote.

”It is evident from the tenor and content of your correspondence that  you  pre-judged the issues, to what purpose I do not know.”

A Carlton resident, Labor Party member and former community activist,  Cr  Watts has been vocal on accountability issues, moving  unsuccessful  motions  about the use of confidential items on the council agenda and overhauling   electoral policies.

Last night Cr Doyle said he believed  the matter  should have been dealt   with through internal council processes. ”It is not my job to be judge  or jury  or arbitrator or mediator … It is my job to try to resolve it  in the first  instance,” Cr Doyle said.

Cr Watts told The Age: ”It’s a sad situation where a  councillor  attempting to conduct inquiries in response to constituent  concerns encounters  such efforts to suppress them.” Ms  Alexander was  not available for  comment.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/doyle-in-heated-row-with-councillor-20120516-1yrdz.html#ixzz1v5CDoNEW

 

May 16, 2012

Can We Trust Them?

Posted by gleneira under GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[10] Comments 

Every year at budget time the spin doctors at Glen Eira trumpet how low their rates are in comparison to benchmark councils. We’re also informed as to how generous Glen Eira is in terms of Pensioner Rebates. Neat little graphs are included in the budget papers that purport to prove these claims. Sadly, the truth of the matter is that these tables do not represent reality. In short, the figures are manipulated, or simply, wrong. Whether this is deliberate, or another ‘clerical error’ we leave to the reader’s judgement.

The table below is an edited version of what appears on page 6 of the current draft budget – “Council Advertised Draft Budget 2001- 2012”. We’ve copied the relevant figures only.

Description

 Glen Eira

Stonnington

Port   Phillip

Bayside

Kingston

Monash

Boroondara

Yarra
Rate Increase 2011/12

6.5%

 5.10% 7.44% 6.4% 6.69% 7.4% 6.00%

4.9%
Council Pensioner Rebate

$270

 $193 $290 $193 $273 $243 $193

$323

 

Our concern is that many of these figures are incorrect AND that when it comes to providing the figures for Glen Eira the TOTAL increase is only calculated on the rate increase and does not include the charges increase. Last year’s total rate increase would have been closer to 7.5% than the 6% ultimately voted on had garbage and other increases been included in the publicised figures. Yet, when presenting data from other councils, this appears to have been added into the total. We are thus comparing apples with oranges – to the advantage of Glen Eira of course!

Hence, we believe that these figures present a totally distorted version of reality. Here is our evidence, cited directly from some of these council’s publications for last year.

  • Stonnington we’re told has a rate increase of 5.10%. Their budget however states: – “In the2011/2012 financial year the increase in general rate is 4.2 percent and garbage charges is 6.0 percent”
  • Port Phillip – The Budget proposes an increase of 7.32% ($6.037 million) in rates revenue for the 2011/2012 year.This increase comprises two components, price (6.50%) which represents the increase in the rate in the dollar and volume (0.94%) which represents new properties or assessments that were created during 2010/2011. This has been partially reduced by the increase of $90K in the pensioner rate rebate of (0.12%)”.
  • Bayside tells us: “The rates and charges increase of 5.9percent for the 2011/12….”
  • Kingston’s media release says – “The Draft Budget proposes a modest 4.95% rate rise which is one of the lowest in Melbourne’s south eastern region. Residents will also be asked to pay a separate additional 1.09% for an increase in rubbish going to landfills and the State Government’s landfill levy. (http://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=2894)
  • Monash is more expansive – “To achieve the goals for maintenance and renewal of the City‟s infrastructure, as well as ensure the continued high levels of service delivery and response to external cost pressures, the SRP reflects a rate increase of 6% in 2011/12. In addition it is expected that $800K of supplementary rates from new developments will be collected. As some Statutory Fees set by other tiers of Government have not increased, or have increased by less than 3%, this has required Council to increase some fees and charges by greater than 4% to overcome the shortfall”.
  • Boroondara’s figures are: “The rate rise of 5% is a reduction on last year’s 5.25% and below the average for other Victorian councils “ http://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/news/council-adopts-budget-council-

But the story doesn’t end there. When we look at Council Pensioner Rebates, Glen Eira can’t even get these figures right. Here’s Port Phillip’s figures for an example – “Council offers a pensioner rate rebate of $136.00 in addition to the current State Government rebate of $193.40.” That’s $329.40 and not the $290 claimed by Glen Eira.

CONCLUSION

Council is obviously free to manipulate figures any way it likes. However, it is surely incumbent upon them to ensure that comparisons are made on a ‘level playing field’ so that residents receive an accurate picture of the state of affairs. Whether these examples indicate a deliberate attempt to distort the truth, or reveal again simple incompetence, is for readers to judge.

 

May 15, 2012

Allegation #4

Posted by gleneira under Councillor Performance, GE Governance, GE Service Performance
[10] Comments 

ALLEGATION  4

That Councillor Penhalluriack victimised the CEO for making a complaint against him. This conduct has damaged the CEO’s reputation and standing, undermined the CEO and his staff in their employment and has caused the CEO stress, harm and hurt feelings.

30 Nov   2010 At an  audio taped Council Meeting, Councillor Penhalluriack criticised the CEO for not accepting mediation. This was in respect of informal complaints made by the CEO to the then Mayor. The CEO referred to the obligations of his employer and that if he wanted to raise the issue he would do so with his employer, the Council.
2 April   2011 Councillor Penhalluriack writes a letter to Mayor Esakoff in which he strongly criticises the CEO, Peter Jones, the MRC and the CRRT. With respect to the allegations of inappropriate conduct made against him by the CEO, he refers to the allegations as “something manufactured by the CEO” and “we need to take his concerns seriously, but this is the third time he has cried wolf, and I’m pleased we decided to leave him alone in the forest”.
 

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