Administrators versus Warlords

from “The Star”
by Laura Wakely
2 November 2011

BRIMBANK City Council administrators have adopted 160 of the 162 officers’ recommendations before council between January and September this year, sparking debate on whether the trio are council’s “yes men”.

Of the 160 recommendations adopted, 10 were amended by administrators to include additional actions, while the two recommendations voted down included the sale of parks and open spaces and a permit for shops in Derrimut.

Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association (SunRRA) president Darlene Reilly said Administrators appeared to come to council meetings having already held a debate in private.

“It’s exactly the same behaviour the council was sacked for and I wish they didn’t do that. “I also wish they would question the council officers a lot more,” Ms Reilly said.

Ms Reilly said Chair of Administrators Peter Lewinsky had made it “clear” he wanted to represent a “united front”.

“That doesn’t mean we’re getting the right decisions,” she said.

Albanvale Residents Association spokesperson Clare Brennan said the administrators were “not listening to the people”.

“We gave up going (to council meetings) because there wasn’t enough discussion, it was all rubberstamped,” Ms Brennan said.

But, like SunRRA, she said Albanvale residents were sceptical about restoring politicians to council.

Keilor Residents and Ratepayers Association president Susan Jennison said she’d also prefer the administrators to councillors.

Ms Jennison said that, although the administrators had adopted 160 of the officer recommendations, she believed they had researched each of the reports.

“They get things done,” she said.

Sunshine resident Sean Spencer agreed with Ms Jennison’s sentiments, claiming the “issues that plagued previous councils still exist.

“ I don’t want to support, or play into the hands of people who intend to run in the 2012 council elections who have their own political agenda at the expense of the administrators who govern for the community,” Mr Spencer said.

Brimbank CEO Nick Foa said the administrators took into account the “quality of research and analysis” in the reports prepared by council staff.

“They are able to provide independent and informed input into strategic matters based on their involvement and participation in the consultative processes and their engagement with the community,” Mr Foa said.

He said the most recent community survey had revealed a satisfaction rating of 6.46, which he said was considered “solid” and “on par” with the metropolitan council average. Star contacted Chair of Administrators Peter Lewinsky but received no response before going to print.

http://starnewsgroup.com.au/star/sunshne-ardeer-albion/320/story/143431.html

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Opinion:
Party-aligned warlords are positioning themselves in anticipation of 2012 Local Government elections, and in the process are attempting to discredit the Brimbank Administrators.

The issues that have plagued previous councils (branchstacking, political patronage, external interference, governing for party-aligned groups, running multiple stooge candidates, caucusing, selecting mayors in private), have not gone away. As a ratepayer, any concerns I have had with the Brimbank Administrators I have raised with them directly. I would prefer to see debate in the chamber, but I have also seen a dramatic improvement in the material brought to council for decision. It is not a perfect system but compared with the previous 3-4 councils, the Administrators are far and away better for the communuity.

It is a big deal to give up a vote, however my opinion is that another term of Brimbank Administrators will starve the branchstacked local branches that made democracy in Brimbank a joke.

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