NSW Office of Local Government Confirms There is No Such Thing as a Council Operational Matter, 01.11.2020
Reported in today’s local weekly community newsletter The Beagle, a free on-line medium in the shire of Eurobodalla, has reported commentary from the NSW Office of Local Government.
It concerns Council’s senior management staff use of the term ‘operational matters’ to deflect and side-step scrutiny of decisions.
The Beagle author, Mr Allan Brown, describes how elected Councillors were questioned about this term but did not know what it was.
But what is known is referring to costly Council decisions made under the guise of ‘operational matters’ prevented Councillors’ direct involvement, undermining the important roles Councillors play as conduits between the Council and the community, and obstructing transparency and proper accountability.
The NSW Office of Local Government has rightfully confirmed there is nothing in the Local Government Act concerning operational matters. And that is one big Act so if it’s not there it’s likely not anywhere!
Cue Port Stephens Council, 520klms and a casual 6.5hr drive from its southern sister, who put the term in writing when it threatened its Councillors from taking any interest or providing any assistance to parties in NCAT proceedings for Administrative Review proceedings.
On 10th March 2017 the Port Stephens Council Executive Officer / Governance Manager / Complaints Handling Officer / Code of Conduct Coordinator / Joint Custodian of Secondary Employment, and Right to Information and Privacy Officer (OMG that IS a mouthful and yes it’s all the same guy!) the one and only Tony Leslie Wickham wrote a threatening internal email to all Councillors, hanging a Code of Conduct Report over the head of any Councillor who did get involved.
Pity those Councillors hadn’t heard from Mr Brown in time to make an informed decision.
But it’s clear and comes straight from the Local Government Horse’s Mouth, there is no such thing as an operational matter.
Mr Wickham’s community, the people paying his wages, do not appreciate his porky pies!
But then, it’s not the first time.
Mr Wickham’s March 2017 Porky Pie is here.
There is a Port Stephens Council Porky Pie feast throughout this Site.
Mr Brown’s article is here.
Contact: Tony Wickham, tony.wickham@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Allan Brown, beagleweeklynews@gmail.com
It concerns Council’s senior management staff use of the term ‘operational matters’ to deflect and side-step scrutiny of decisions.
The Beagle author, Mr Allan Brown, describes how elected Councillors were questioned about this term but did not know what it was.
But what is known is referring to costly Council decisions made under the guise of ‘operational matters’ prevented Councillors’ direct involvement, undermining the important roles Councillors play as conduits between the Council and the community, and obstructing transparency and proper accountability.
The NSW Office of Local Government has rightfully confirmed there is nothing in the Local Government Act concerning operational matters. And that is one big Act so if it’s not there it’s likely not anywhere!
Cue Port Stephens Council, 520klms and a casual 6.5hr drive from its southern sister, who put the term in writing when it threatened its Councillors from taking any interest or providing any assistance to parties in NCAT proceedings for Administrative Review proceedings.
On 10th March 2017 the Port Stephens Council Executive Officer / Governance Manager / Complaints Handling Officer / Code of Conduct Coordinator / Joint Custodian of Secondary Employment, and Right to Information and Privacy Officer (OMG that IS a mouthful and yes it’s all the same guy!) the one and only Tony Leslie Wickham wrote a threatening internal email to all Councillors, hanging a Code of Conduct Report over the head of any Councillor who did get involved.
Pity those Councillors hadn’t heard from Mr Brown in time to make an informed decision.
But it’s clear and comes straight from the Local Government Horse’s Mouth, there is no such thing as an operational matter.
Mr Wickham’s community, the people paying his wages, do not appreciate his porky pies!
But then, it’s not the first time.
Mr Wickham’s March 2017 Porky Pie is here.
There is a Port Stephens Council Porky Pie feast throughout this Site.
Mr Brown’s article is here.
Contact: Tony Wickham, tony.wickham@portstephens.nsw.gov.au
Allan Brown, beagleweeklynews@gmail.com