In a fiery debate that divided his colleagues, a Wyndham councillor has accused his own council of not being transparent and not following due process.
At last week’s council meeting, during a discussion about outstanding issues, a debate began when the appointment of former mayor Kim McAliney to a voluntary position on the ‘disability, ageing and inclusion strategy and policy development committee’ was questioned.
Cr Glenn Goodfellow moved an amendment seeking a further report to be provided to the council on a policy relating to former councillors serving on the council’s own policy committees.
“This report should contain the pros and cons of such a policy as well as whether it is desirable for there to be a period prior to which former councillors might not be able to serve on committees,” Cr Goodfellow’s amendment read.
The issue caused a division among the 10 councillors present and mayor Bob Fairclough was required to use his deciding vote to break the stalemate and knock back Cr Goodfellow’s proposal.
This caused Cr Peter Maynard to storm out of the council chambers before making a brief and stern statement.
“It’s about being transparent in process. It’s not about the person, it never has been.”
“One of the things that this council has never done properly is process, and this is absolutely inexcusable,” Cr Maynard said.
He later said in a statement to Star Weekly that comments he “made during the ordinary meeting of council on Monday night regarding process and transparency related specifically to the matter being considered and not to the organisation as a whole”.
Ms McAliney said: “I’d just like to applaud Cr Bob Fairclough for making a decision and making the right decision because really I think the report should have been separate to my appointment.
“The process was done appropriately, but one has to question why the amendment was brought up tonight.”
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