At the March council meeting, Cr Jessica Mitchell introduced a motion for a structured reporting framework to be established, with the aim of improving governance, transparency and accountability with the sitting chief executive, mayor and councillors.
The proposal called for the chief executive to present a regular report at each council meeting, covering progress on council plans, budgets, project delivery and compliance issues.
It also included a requirement for a mayor's report, as well as structured councillor reports outlining their representation and community engagement over the previous month.
Cr Mitchell argued that implementing this framework would boost transparency and rebuild public confidence in the council.
“This motion is not about creating unnecessary reporting or additional bureaucracy … it is about providing a simple, structured opportunity at our council meetings to highlight the work already being delivered by the (chief executive), our organisation and our elected leadership,” she said.
“It also reinforces our role as councillors under the (Local Government Act 2020), representing our communities and maintaining strong connections with the people we serve.”
Councillors Zoe Cook, Tony Marwood and Rob Amos opposed the motion, arguing that additional reporting would burden council resources when officers already delivered quarterly updates.
Speaking against the requirement for a chief executive report, Cr Marwood argued it would hamper efficiency.
“This (would) triple the time and workload for our report writing officers … it takes them away from the job they should be doing,” he said.
“We have an organisation who is currently working really hard … to make budget savings and this motion actually asked to increase what we spend.
“This should benefit our people, and it doesn’t.”
Cr Paul Jarman, speaking against the motion, said councillors could voluntarily make reports at each meeting, but forcing it “makes no sense”.
“We have a responsibility of leadership to work under the legislation of our plan, our budget … and quite frankly, local government is regulated to death,” he said.
Cr John Zobec spoke for the motion and said a quick update of projects at every council meeting would be all the community needed to be informed.
He said ratepayers should know what its councillors were doing around the community to represent them.
Cr Adrian Weston also spoke for the motion and said a return to monthly operational reports would allow councillors to “develop a clear picture of the business”.
“(In the past) it empowered the councillors to make better decisions … and it made you feel as though you had your finger on the pulse,” he said.
In response to all the statements, Cr Mitchell concluded that the motion was about making council activities visible to the public.
“Our community expects that the priorities adopted in our council plan are not only delivered, but that progress is communicated clearly and openly — what you track, you improve,” she said.
When put to the vote, the motion was narrowly defeated 5-4.
Voting for the motion were councillors Mitchell, Weston, Zobec and Luke Sharrock.
Voting against were councillors Amos, Cook, Jarman, Marwood and Mayor Daniel Mackrell.
