Minister announces council inquiry
South Gippsland Shire Council will be the subject of an inquiry by the State Government.
The government said it is ensuring council is accountable to the ratepayers they represent.
Victorian Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek has just announced his intention to hold a Commission of Inquiry into the South Gippsland Shire Council under section 209 of the Local Government Act 1989.
The commission will look at the stability of the council, the behaviours of individual councillors, the process of hiring a CEO and the efficiency and effectiveness of governance arrangements in delivering services to the community.
The Local Government Act 1989 provides the inquiry with broad ranging powers including summoning witnesses, requiring the production of documents and full access to the council and its documents.
The monitor’s final report recommended the council be suspended and an administrator be appointed.
On April 2, 2019, the minister provided the council with the monitor’s report and it was asked to respond within 28 days, including what steps it had taken to address the issues in the monitor’s report.
Suspending the council is still under consideration and the council’s response and the final report from the municipal monitor will be carefully considered by the minister and the Commission of Inquiry.
“I am very concerned at what is going on at the South Gippsland Shire, the Commission – which has inquisitorial powers – will get to the bottom of it and I will table the findings in the Parliament,” Mr Somyurek said.
“Like the ratepayers and residents of South Gippsland, I want a stable council that functions effectively, governs well, delivers the services the community needs and represents the area.”
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