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Tuesday 25 February 2020
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Gnome sweet gnome The chrome gnome sculpture was installed last week at a new location. See story page 3. Picture: Gary Sissons
Councillors clash over monitor findings Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au DISCUSSION about a report which evaluated the behaviour and governance of Frankston Council ended with a heated argument and a councillor storming out of a meeting last week. At Frankston Council’s 17 February meeting, councillors discussed their correspondence to the local government minister in response to the findings of the municipal monitor’s report.
The monitor was appointed by the state government to investigate council’s governance, and came at a cost of over $100,000 to ratepayers. The meeting broke down into vicious shouting matches after Crs Colin Hampton and Brian Cunial voiced their disapproval of the letter which council had prepared to send to the minister. “This response has been simply put together to appease the local government minister,” Cr Cunial said. Cr Hampton told the meeting that “nothing has changed” since the moni-
tor left council. Cr Glenn Aitken said that comments made about the letter had “the potential to damage the council very badly”, and walked out of the meeting. The meeting was quickly adjourned, and all councillors were brought behind closed doors by the mayor before soon returning. Cr Aitken returned for the remainder of the meeting. The letter to the minister reads that “council is committed to addressing the recommendations and will develop a robust approach to ensure we are con-
tinually improving and achieving good governance outcomes and provision of quality services in the best interests of the community.” The letter read that it is a goal of council to “build more trusting relationships”. “Councillors are committed to having an open dialogue and discussion with all parties, knowing they have the ability to freely contribute. Councillors have agreed to address poor behaviour and will ask for redress at the time it occurs,” council wrote. “Council is
committed to developing more interpersonal working relationships to build trust and encourage a positive culture.” The letter also stated that there would be a focus on “streamlined council meeting agendas, minutes and reports” and “clarity on the process for notice of motions” going forward. Council eventually voted to send the letter to the minister with a 6-3 vote. Crs Cunial, Hampton, and Lillian O’Connor opposed. Continued Page 2
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