Responses to rumours.
Sue Brooks March 30th, 2009
Hopefully these responses will help clear the air somewhat. I do however repeat that I prefer people to query Council or myself, directly and formally. I trust that the Council ability to respond efficiently to queries is much improved and I am keen to receive evidence to the contrary. I still ask that you provide examples of what specific information you require from me or from Council, that we don’t provide already. I keep hearing that Council is not ‘open and transparent’ but I fail to really grasp what exactly you would like to know. I am obviously missing something! It would be better for everyone if the media reporting of Council activities and meetings was more efficient but we have no control over the local media.
I look forward to reading the results of our recent survey and good bad or indifferent it is the first community survey of its type that I can recall. While we could have paid a consultant to ‘do it better’ the survey was put together quickly inhouse and very cheaply. I felt it was a start and that it was better to go ahead with a very basic survey rather than spend more money etc. Maybe next time we can do better.
So to respond to the recent rumours.
JN – It is claimed in-house advertising for positions has not followed correct procedures! If this is so? Why has our CEO, councillors and the disadvantaged people not taken some action? From an employees position there are unions, Appeals & Grievance panels and local MP’s, any one of these could or should have been contacted.
Response – Council has in place a policy for the advertising and appointment of positions. This is in accordance with the Code of Practice and the Local Government Act. In accordance with the revised procedure agreed to by the Unions through the development of the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, expressions of interest are called for, for positions up to a certain level, prior to advertising externally. This allows internal applicants an opportunity to apply without going through the full process. This is because they are already employed and it reduces the costs involved in recruiting. Also, when internal appointments are made it provides the opportunity to review the position that the person came out of to determine if it is still needed. This is as an outcome of the amalgamations. This process is now included in the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (refer to page 45 of the EBA available for viewing on the vacancies page of the Council’s website). In addition the grievance process is contained in the EBA on pages 8 and 9. The EBA was voted on by employees prior to Christmas with approximately 85% of the employees supporting it.
JN – There are claims of council plant & equipment such as cars, being sold advantageously to staff and friends!! If this is so? Why has our CEO, councillors or staff members not taken some action?
Response - I am totally unsure of what this refers to but I assume that it is referring to the purchase of the Toyota Prado (formerly the vehicle driven by the CEO of Tiaro) which was purchased by the spouse of a Council staff member. This employee purchased the vehicle following an open tender process, publicly advertised and publicly opened and for which there were two tenders received. The vehicle was sold to the highest tender which was the spouse of the Council employee. I’m not sure that this could be any more open and transparent. If there are other instances that I am not aware I would love to hear about it with some supporting information (ie type of vehicle or plant and approximate timeframe) so that it can be followed up on. Council is required to follow very strict procedures when dispensing with property obtained via public funds so please, if you have evidence that these procedures have not been followed, I am keen to hear about them as I am sure will be our CEO!
It is to be realised that in a community the size of ours many other organisations have staff employed that are related to each other. Both TAFE and USQ are local organisations that I’m aware of have or had members of staff, who are related to each other, employed. It is common that partners often have similar professional backgrounds, qualifications and interests and I have even suggested that my own partner Graham could apply for the odd permanent position at Council when I get tired of his 7 days a week duty to our shop! The shop sees more of him than I do! So far he has declined my hintings……
Council is a very large employer and family members and friends of staff often are most aware of when vacancies and tenders etc occur. I believe that any employer vets these applicants much more carefully than a totally independant applicant or submitter would be vetted. I have been a member of several local selection panels (not at Council) and this is my personal experience. It is always a difficult balancing act and it will always mean that public perception and scrutiny is intense. Situation normal in other words….
JN – There have been a number of instances where council contracts, it is claimed, have gone to ‘friends’ or that due process has not been followed!!! If this is correct? Why have the people in the know, not done something about it?
This one is bit hard to understand. The required process is to call for quotes (up to a set value) or tenders (over a set value). Delegations are in place for quotes, however tenders all come back to Council for approval. If there are specific instances that someone is aware of, let me know and I will pursue. If the required process has not been followed, then it should be picked up at the audit stage. Council does have an audit committee with non Council members on it and possibly this committee could oversee the process if you believe that would make the process more transparent. I can enquire.
I am also enquiring as to the printing of business cards and will report on this asap. This level of Council activity is not usually reported to Councillors but Councillors do keep an eye on the operational budgets applicable. Cheers, Sue