The City of Perth’s “dysfunctional” council has officially been put on notice by new Local Government Inspector Tony Brown at a behind-closed-doors meeting on Tuesday night.
Sources have told WAtoday chief executive Michelle Reynolds is on leave following the meeting, which was closed to the public as councillors discussed a confidential report from the Office of the Local Government Inspector.
Brown spoke with ABC Perth radio on Wednesday morning, and said any questions regarding the chief executive being suspended was “an employment matter, so I couldn’t comment on that, that’s a matter for the city”.
Brown confirmed he put the council on notice at the city’s agenda briefing session on Tuesday.
“I mentioned to them that the monitor assignment will finish on the 19th of June, and I expect by that date, that the council demonstrates improvements in how they understand their roles and responsibilities, how they conduct their behaviour and, in particular, their relationships with the administration and each other, which affects their decision-making processes,” he said.
“So we need them to make these improvements, and if they don’t, then we need to look at other actions.”
The City of Perth, Michelle Reynolds and Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds – who are not related – have also been approached for comment.
The “other actions” Brown put on the table could include a local government inspector inquiry, which would be the city’s second in five years.
“The City of Perth only had an inquiry three or four years ago, so we don’t want to put the ratepayers and residents of the City of Perth through that, but if the council doesn’t improve, then that’s what we’ll need to do,” Brown told the ABC.
Outcomes of the inquiry could see Brown recommend to Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley dismiss the council or elected members. Beazley’s office has been contacted for comment.
“What we want, and it’s a really simple message, is that we want the council to improve their conduct and how they work together, so they can deliver good outcomes for their community,” Brown said.
“I think what’s lost sometimes with councils is that they are there for their community, and that’s what they need to focus on.”
Planning Minister John Carey told reporters on Wednesday that councillors needed to “just get over it, work together, and stop the infighting”.
“No wonder ratepayers are tearing out their hair,” Carey said.
“I’m over it. The pettiness, the infighting, the immaturity by the council is galling, and I’m being contacted by ratepayers who have had enough at a time of a cost of living crisis.”
Carey suggested that, given the “dysfunction” of the council, Perth should merge with the neighbouring City of Vincent to give people a larger pool of options for elected representatives.
“I can tell you people in the City of Perth have had enough. It’s diabolical. The elected councils have to take responsibility, and it is a cause of concern that the inspector was there yesterday seeking to take further action,” he said.
Brown’s shot across the bow comes after a local government monitor was appointed to the City of Perth in January as a result of a relationship breakdown between elected members and the city administration.
Perth Racing chair and former Kwinana mayor Carol Adams became the first local government monitor appointed by Brown, who began his role on January 1 following government reforms.
Adams’ position gave her the power to observe council meetings – including those behind closed doors – and inspect council documents, and she could request meetings with councillors and city employees in order to help the council get back on track.
Bruce Reynolds requested a state government investigation into workplace culture at the city following a failed attempt to establish an independent inquiry in November as one of his first moves following his election to the role of lord mayor the previous month.
That attempt, which was presented to the council with just six minutes’ notice, was deemed unlawful by then-acting chief executive Peta Mabbs, who has subsequently resigned from the city.
“I have shown that I will not tolerate this level of dysfunction and poor governance, and have acted decisively, when required, in appointing commissioners,” she said.
“I have put local governments on notice that this poor behaviour needs to end.
“Those doing the wrong thing need to change and have a sole focus on what is in the best interests of their communities.”
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