Council
31 July, 2023
Mayor says conflict the overriding factor
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline and CEO Sunil Bhalla fronted up to the media in an attempt to put as brave a face as possible to the community survey results which revealed council's reputation had slipped to its lowest level for at least 10 years. They...
Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline and CEO Sunil Bhalla fronted up to the media in an attempt to put as brave a face as possible to the community survey results which revealed council's reputation had slipped to its lowest level for at least 10 years.
They had not allowed reporters to see the survey results ahead of the news conference, but the questions soon came thick and fast.
Both acknowledged that charges of staff bullying, and the subsequent appointment of a municipal monitor, had been major influences of public perception of council's performance.
"That definitely had an impact," Mr Bhalla said.
"The mayor and I requested (the appointment of a monitor) because we felt that was what was needed at the time, to get some intervention to help, and to get the councillor group to work effectively."
He said recommendations had since been put in place and council had recently updated its governance rules and its code of conduct.
Mr Bhalla said claims from the Australian Services Union on behalf of council staff were "unfortunate".
"But they were very thoroughly investigated and council was cleared in the report that there wasn't any issues around bullying or harassment of staff," he said.
Cr Gulline agreed that the appointment of a monitor, and the public comment apparent at the time, were dominant factors behind community displeasure.
But she pointed to her own council chamber as the main source of dissatisfaction.
"Conflict between councillors is the main reason that people have told me they've marked us down," Cr Gulline said.
"I'm only one voice and one vote. All seven of us have to take responsibility for that.
"It's not something the staff can do. That's actually our job."
The condition of sealed local roads drew some of the most negative responses in the survey – and drew a sharp retort from the mayor.
"Many of the roads the community are complaining about aren't actually our roads. They're actually state-managed roads," Cr Gulline said.
"But we get the blame for all the roads, even if they're ones that we don't have any control over.
"People just see roads, and the survey says, 'What do you think of roads? They're crap.' "
She pleaded with residents to notify council of issues that needed addressing – and not to complain on online forums.
"Let us know, so we can come and fix it," she said.
"Don't bitch about it on social media.
"Come and tell us that there's a problem with your road."
Mr Bhalla said he was confident council could "turn things around", with a four-year plan and an annual action plan both already in place.
"There are a number of actions already in that action plan which would address some of the issues which have been highlighted through the feedback, so that work is continuing," he said.
"We have spoken to the councillors about the results, and clearly there is an acknowledgement that we need to work on these results.
"We've had discussions at the leadership group, which includes the managers and the executive, but the rest of the staff will also be advised.
"Staff are working hard to deliver on behalf of the community, but then they also have limitations.
"At the end of the day, council gives the direction as to what needs to be done, based on what the community is asking for."
While the community satisfaction survey results were gauged from a sample of only 400 residents, their response has clearly shaken those who conduct their business – and that of the welfare of the community – from the offices of Horsham Rural City Council.
And while council's reaction is so far short on detail, Mr Bhalla summed up its position succinctly: "Everyone is clear on where council's focus is for the next 12 months."