A motion to give Wyndham councillors a bigger say in slashing major events and services has been narrowly defeated, but not without a debate over delegation and democracy.
Raised by councillor Jasmine Hill, the motion called for all services and events that cost more than $100,000 annually or are promoted by council to be debated by councillors before being scrapped.
Cr Hill said council’s recent decisions to pause the State Rose and Garden Show and end free snake removal from private properties made the change necessary.
“When a decision ends a service that thousands depend on, that is no longer operational,” Cr Hill said.
“While officers exercise delegated authority with professionalism, the cessation of public-facing services represents a matter of policy direction.
“With things on this scale, residents notice, businesses notice and people start to ask questions.
“This approach strengthens oversight without undermining efficiency, ensuring that when services that matter most to our community are at stake, councillors are accountable for the decision.”
Cr Shannon McGuire said he was frustrated by the notice of motion and that it took power away from delegated officers.
“This would be a vote of no confidence to our officers – in any other workplace it would be considered micromanagement,” he said.
“If the motion passed it would bring this organisation to its knees.”
Cr Jennie Barrera echoed the sentiment.
“It would simply grind council to a halt, and it suggests officers and the CEO can’t be trusted,” she said.
Cr Peter Maynard disagreed.
“I had doubts about this motion, but I take umbrage that councillors are insinuating this is a vote of no confidence in staff,” Cr Maynard said.
“It is not council staff who get it in the neck when these things go south – we do.
“I’d rather vote about it in the chamber.”
Cr Hill hit back at the notion her idea was a form of micromanagement.
“Bringing the decisions back to the chamber does not add a cost, it adds democratic legitimacy,” she said.
“In times of financial constraints, community trust is even more important – people accept tough decisions if they can see them being debated and voted on by their elected representatives, that is our job.”
The motion lost six to five.
