General News
8 September, 2024
Monitor paid $1296 a day for nine months
The appointment of a municipal monitor to report on ongoing governance issues at Horsham Rural City Council will cost upwards of $100,000 and could exceed $160,000.
Steven Kingshott is the second monitor appointed to HRCC in two years.
Ratepayers will be footing the bill to cover a daily pay packet of $1296 during his nine-month posting.
A council spokesperson said he was expected to work two or three days a week, beginning on September 2 and ending on June 30.
Mr Kingshott's predecessor, Jude Holt, cost council $65,779.87 during her six-month tenure from July 2022 to January 2023.
In her report to Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, Ms Holt noted “conflict between the councillor cohort” and “tension between councillors which escalated at times to disrespectful behaviours”.
“It is my view that there was an absence of leadership qualities and behaviours expected of community leaders and councillors in line with the councillor code of conduct,” she said.
Among her recommendations was that council addressed the disconnect between community interest in council affairs and an apparent revolving door of inexperienced, elected councillors.
Ms Holt said the rate of attrition of councillors was among the most concerning aspects of the running of Horsham Rural City Council.
In 2020 six of the seven councillors were first-term councillors, in 2016 there were four, and in 2012 five of the seven were first-term councillors.
The role of a municipal monitor is to provide advice to councils that are experiencing governance issues and make recommendations to the Minister for further action.
Ms Holt's recommended in March last year that HRCC create a community leadership program to attract prospective candidates.
"It’s now up to us to deliver the improvements that have been highlighted,” CEO Sunil Bhalla said in response.
The community leadership program finally took effect in May this year, attracting 12 attendees.
The Horsham Times has contacted all sitting councillors seeking their intentions at the October local government elections.
Les Power and David Bowe have indicated they will stand again, and Ian Ross is "seriously considering" another tilt.
Councillors Claudia Haenel, Penny Flynn and mayor Robyn Gulline did not respond despite repeated calls.