Councils in Perspective

                                                                                                                               

Introduction  - 

 

This letter has been adapted form a one previously published Circa October 2002. It highlights some of the problems that currently exist in the Local Government sector.

Citizens across the Australia are uneasy with the quality governance on offer Council State and Federal levels of government. Bureaucrats and politicians regularly use rhetoric of "transparency and accountability " yet citizens can find no solid mechanisms to mandate this.   

Acting with the authority of elected representatives, small numbers of elected officials continue to deliberate in closed sessions. In the case of local government the influence of the CEOs across the State is considerable – and the closed meeting culture is significant to this.                                     

Theoretically, hearings and public consultation sessions are available to the public on significant matters. However there is nothing to hold councils to these as decisions are often made prior to hearings.                                                                                                                                               

Despite the rhetoric of "transparency" and "accountability" the "Update of the Local Government Act currently before Parliament seems to make councils even less accountable. The changes include the ability of CEOs to declare any matters they wish "in confidence" and beyond public scrutiny.   

The current spiel of autonomy for local government "answerable to its electors" is a parody – until processes are put in place for ratepayers to have effective input to decisions by council, local government will be at the mercy of closed governance and predators attracted to closed business and rich resources.                                                                                                                                                                            

So-called  Best Value "Codes of Practice" looks good on paper and take much administration time to develop but unless able to be held accountable they are expensive smokescreens.                            

Many councillors are ill-equipped to scrutinize to the extent required and the closed internal culture makes them dependent on the CEOs and sets their loyalties to their group rather than to the ratepayers who elected them.                                                                                                                                 

In the case of serious matters,  ratepayers may attempt public meetings with council with reasonable arguments presented, or petitions presented to be left on the table, or appearances and submissions at hearings - but all can be ignored.  Appeals to the Minister are  likely to get the stock reply, "If  you don't like what they are doing,  vote them out next election!

Supreme Court action is a last resort  - and unless accountability measures for proper practice are mandated by the government, we unfortunately will be likely to see more legal action by ratepayers over serious matters that should never have developed.                                        

There is a vital need for a return of ratepayer-initiated referendums for serious issues.  Key to transparency would be to mandate briefing sessions as part of full council meetings and "in confidence" matters heavily restricted.

Minister of Local Government  appears unwilling to acknowledge flaws in the system, so a new office, with separated authority and with real supervising power over local government, ought to be established.

 

Jack Davis J.P.

President              

 

To identify key issues for community building in Victoria within the processes of Local Government serious scrutiny is required. Essential to achieving this would be a extensive study of concerns of ratepayers, and not as the present Bill, one whose parameters have been set by bureaucracy.

Administration costs and disposal of public assets are areas of serious concern to ratepayers. They now question the efficiency and accountability of this so-called third tier of government with its escalating scope and cost to them.

Many grievances are systemic embracing a significant portion of the Local Government sector. It is cold comfort for any residents of a council to have concerns that are also wide spread throughout Victoria.  State-wide consideration of council issues and not in isolation will provide solutions for what ails Councils.  Perhaps what differentiates your council from others is its approach and methods of carrying out of business of the day?

 

Conclusions

An effective democracy requires that a significant proportion of the electorate not only vote, but also take an active interest in government.

Now is an opportune time to review the operation and activities of this council relevance to its community needs

Finally, the key to success is to enlist not only those councillors with something to offer in the way of new ideas but also those who are prepared to follow through.

Communities must maximise their councils chances of success by establishing, a really strong ratepayers/community association.

If you happen to be a councillor – Then be mindful of this comment adapted from one by John A. Lincoln - “A Council is a Cul De Sac, which ideas are lured then not so quietly strangled”.

 

Ray Gully

Vice President

Ratepayer Victoria Inc.