!!!!! TheCouncil !!!!!

You might wonder why it is important to define TheCouncil and the reason is that we must understand who is responsible within TheShire and for what.

The bottom line is that TheCouncil consists of the 11 people we elect. It does not include TheOfficers or TheCEO.

It took me many weeks of questions during public question time to get to box “them” in and get this term defined in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989. I have now received confirmation from The Honourable Richard William; Minister for Local Government.

TheCEO and TheOfficers would like us to believe that they are part of TheCouncil but they are not. They are merely instruments to carry out TheCouncil’s’ will.

Their decisions are only binding and are referred to as the decisions of TheCouncil (the Council has decided) only so far as TheCouncil or other laws have delegated them the power to act in the name of TheCouncil. But they are not part of the decision making body of TheCouncil.

What this means is that everything that happens in TheShire is on the head of TheCouncil except where other legislation might supersede their authority (planning legislation for example) and there is therefore no one to blame for the culture of TheShire but your elected representative who is one of 11 who make up TheCouncil.

TheCouncil is responsible for the answers you get (or don’t get) to questions you ask. They are responsible for the rate increases we get each year without any significant inputs from us. They are responsible for the culture within which TheOfficers and TheStaff operate. They are responsible for the secrecy that perpetuates itself in the name of Transparency (completely open and frank) that is touted throughout TheShire. They are responsible for the answers of confidentiality and using this and the FOI process to deny us access to information. They are responsible entirely for allowing the culture to exist that caused the latest investigation and subsequent report by the Ombudsman. They are responsible for correcting systemic deficiencies.

The buck stops with TheCouncil (your elected 11)!!!!

?????.. Ombudsmans’ Report….?????

I have tried to get several Councillors to make a motion at a Council meeting to send a letter to the ombudsman recommending that his recent report be released.

Unfortunately, the Transparency (completely open and frank) Veil has been lowered again and even though TheCouncil profess that this report is not damming will not request its release. I think the opposite … that it is quite damming.

So what can you do? Contact Your Councillor and ask this specific question:

Will you put a motion to the floor at the next Council meeting to write a letter to the ombudsman asking that the report be made public??

When you get a negative response ask and demand an answer to the question WHY NOT???

It is also very important to Contact David Gibb with the same questions as he has publicly stated that he has had no ratepayer input on this issue.

Please email me and let me know who you contacted and their response.

$$$$$ 2010-2011 Budget $$$$$

The initiative has been lost to get any meaningful inputs into the 2010-2011 budgeting process. By the time TheShire asks for any inputs, it is too late and most items have been cast in concrete.

So…. to have any chance of and change for the 2011-2012 budgeting process it is important that we start the process today!

To this end I am looking for 7 good people to form a budget input task force to inspire significant changes in the next process. This group would be looking at the process, at the information made available, reporting, and anything else pertaining to the budgeting and financial reporting process.

Terms of reference will be determined by the FinancialActionGroup once formed.

If you are interested in serving on the FinancialActionGroup please email me and provide a little background on yourself. I will convene the first session soon.