Council clamping down

New Shire policy denies access to info

ANOTHER rift is emerging in the troubled Surf Coast Shire, with one councillor accusing the shire’s executive of restricting information.

Heather Wellington claims councillors are being refused access to information on matters deemed ‘operational’, under a new protocol put in motion this month.

The new Councillor and Staff Interaction Protocol advises councillors that they “should not request access to documents … that relate to operational matters”.

Documents that are linked to decisions made by officers under their delegated authorities are also off limits for councillors.

The shire considers operational matters as generally relating to the day-to-day activities of the council, including responding to service requests, as well as decisions made by officers under delegation.

Cr Wellington said the policy was making her role as a councillor “impossible”.

She said she had twice been refused access to documents in recent weeks, including when she sought a breakdown of $150,000 allocated to unsealed road maintenance.

“I asked for a breakdown … to understand how much of the allocation would actually be spent on works on unsealed roads and how much would be spent on ‘liaison and inspection’,” Cr Wellington said.

“I was refused that information on the basis it was ‘operational’.”

She said she had obtained legal advice — seen by the Geelong Advertiser — indicating the Surf Coast Shire had no authority to restrict councillors’ access to documents.

“I am simply trying to do my job … (but) I believe it is impossible to do the job of an elected councillor if I am not permitted to ask for, and access, documents and information of the type I have requested,” Cr Wellington said. “I believe the community expects that councillors will have ready access to the type of documents and information I have requested.”

Despite Cr Wellington’s frustration with the new policy, it is understood the majority of fellow councillors have no issue with it.

The enforcement of the policy comes amid a backdrop of infighting at Surf Coast Shire.

Last week, the Addy revealed the Local Government Inspectorate was investigating a complaint about conduct within the council.

Surf Coast Shire CEO Keith Baillie indicated the new policy had been developed in response to the turmoil.

“Council has experienced a period where councillors’ relationships have been challenging,” he said. “To assist, we have a series of governance reforms to assist councillors, staff and the community.

“Key to this is being clear about the different roles and responsibilities of councillors and staff.”

Mr Baillie said councillors were properly informed of details relating to issues before each council meeting.

“For decisions made at a council meeting, officers provide relevant information to councillors through reports in the meeting agenda,” he said.