Moree Plains Shire Council’s elected councillors, front from left, Cr Dominque Hodgkinson, Deputy Wayne Tighe, Cr Kerry Cassells, Cr Deb Williams and Cr Kelly James; back from left, Cr Fred McGrady, Cr Brooke Sauer, Mayor Susannah Pearse and Cr Peter Mailler. Photo: Moree Plains Shire Council
Moree Plains Shire Council could remain in office under a six-month improvement order proposed by the NSW Minister for Local Government, instead of the suspension he had been considering.
In a written statement on Wednesday 11 November, Council said Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig had outlined the new approach in a letter received the previous day. The change follows councillors’ unanimous response to concerns about behaviour and disorder in the chamber.
Mayor Susannah Pearse welcomed the news in Council’s written statement.
“This is really pleasing news from the Minister, and I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for coming together and providing unanimous support for the submission,” Cr Pearse said.
“Our submission has clearly demonstrated to the Minister that whilst we accept there have been challenges, we have maintained effective oversight and delivery, meaning suspension is not warranted.”
From suspension to supervision
The change follows a warning issued on 22 October, when the Minister advised he was considering suspending the elected council for three months. As MON reported on 2 November, the Minister was also considering appointing an interim administrator.
His concerns included the conduct of council meetings, repeated police involvement in maintaining order and worsening working relationships between councillors.
At an extraordinary meeting on 2 November, councillors unanimously backed a plan proposing mediation, further training, good conduct undertakings and independent oversight instead of suspension.
Council’s statement describes a draft Performance Improvement Order that would keep councillors in office under closer supervision for six months. However, its summary also says the Minister was issuing a formal order. Council says it has 14 days to respond, leaving the order’s current status unclear.
“We are grateful that the Minister has effectively endorsed and further strengthened our proposed Improvement Plan which consists of further training and development for all councillors,” Cr Pearse said.
What councillors will be required to do
According to Council’s statement, the order would require councillors to receive training in meeting procedures, the Code of Conduct, handling disorder and disagreements, and following directions to leave meetings.
Council says the Minister also wants stricter behaviour standards in the chamber. Abusive or offensive language, threats and unfavourable personal remarks about other council officials would not be tolerated. Councillors would be expected to stop interrupting or speaking over colleagues.
Under the plan described by Council, a temporary adviser appointed by the Minister would monitor councillor participation and report independently on how the improvement plan is being carried out.
Council says it would also provide three reports to the Office of Local Government over six months, outlining action taken to meet its conduct and meeting rules.
“We acknowledge the Minister’s decisions. None of the requirements in the draft Performance Improvement Order are particularly onerous, they largely reflect good governance and collective commitment to basic minimum standards,” Cr Pearse said.
What happens next?
Council says it has 14 days to respond to the Minister’s 10 November letter. Councillors will consider their response at the ordinary meeting on Thursday 19 November. This is a new response period, separate from the earlier deadline of 6 November for Council’s submission on the possible suspension.
Council says the Minister’s new approach would allow elected councillors to remain in office.
