By Stephen Linnell
WYNDHAM Council has been accused of lacking transparency following a decision to grant town planners and the council’s chief executive more power.
The council last week agreed to increase the expenditure delegation of chief executive Peter Marshall to $500,000 and allow town planning staff to make decisions on all planning permits unless there are five or more objections.
Wyndham resident Bill Strong opposed the changes. “It’s just not transparent,” he said.
“We (ratepayers) send councillors in to keep an eye on things and now they’re delegating to the CEO.”
The council defended its decision.
Mayor Kim McAliney told Star that “transparency and public accountability is at the core of the council’s decision-making process”.
She said the changes would streamline the process and allow councillors “to focus on strategic issues that will shape the future of the city, rather than day-to-day operational issues”.
“The new instrument of delegation will streamline our processes and drive further efficiency so councillors can concentrate on what is needed to build a great city as we deal with the challenges of our record growth,” Cr McAliney said.
“By increasing the CEO’s delegation for awarding contracts from $250,000 to $500,000, the council is reducing the time and cost associated with staff preparing reports for councillors to approve expenditure a second time. Items deemed to be of particular community interest will still be considered at an ordinary council meeting.”
Cr McAliney said the $500,000 limit was below the delegatory powers at other councils, which are $1 million for the Cities of Casey and Geelong, $2 million for Melbourne and unlimited for Stonnington and Manningham. He said a monthly summary of all contracts would still be tabled at council meetings for the information of councillors and the public.
In addition, a new contracts evaluation panel would be established, of staff and independent external representatives.
“This will ensure a transparent approach to the awarding of council contracts,” Cr McAliney said.
Town planning permits would be processed by council officers in accordance with the council’s policies and planning arrangements, she said.
“Members of the public will be given the same opportunity to have input into the council’s decision-making process.”
Werribee South resident John Menegazzo, who is running for council in November’s election, said he was not opposed to the changes given that permit objectors had the ultimate right to take planning issues to VCAT.
Cr Cynthia Manson said: “If there are a number of objections then it will come to the council.”
Cr Shane Bourke said: “We need to be looking more strategically at things … there is a safeguard for residents with the five objections.”
