Order issued on ERC

It will apply to the remaining meetings of the current council before caretaker period ahead of the September election kicks in next month.

the advisor will then stay on to guide the new council through the first few months of their term.

A final report is to be delivered to the minister by February next year.

The Pastoral Times reached out to Edward River Council interim CEO Gary Arnold to explore what this means for the council moving forward.

in reply, Mr Arnold sent us a copy of the full order and said there would be a report to the open session of the August 13 council meeting.

The minister has appointed Mark Ferguson as temporary advisor to the council.

He has been given four primary tasks:

• attend council meetings for the purpose of providing advice and assistance to the chair in respect of meeting procedures and dealing with acts of disorder;

• attend councillor training workshops as requested by the Deputy Secretary, Local Government;

• provide advice and assistance to the council for the purpose of ensuring that it complies with the performance improvement order; and

• monitor the council's compliance with the performance improvement order.

“This appointment will cease upon Mr Ferguson providing a report to me on council's final compliance report including their observations of at least three consecutive council meetings,” the minister said in the order.

“Pursuant to section 438G(7) of the Local Government Act 1993, Mr Ferguson shall be paid from the council's funds for the period of the appointment. The estimated maximum cost of the appointment will be $60,000 (including GST).”

Mr Ferguson’s initial report is due on August 27, on observed conduct of councillors and any matters referred under the code of cunduct.

Report two is due by September 24, on the status of council, observations of conduct of councillors and staff, and preparation for councillor induction.

The final report is due by February 28.

The minister felt the need to begin intervention last month after continued in-fighting within council spilled out into the community through live streaming of council meetings.

His office had also received multiple code of conduct complaints throughout the council term.

The schedule from the minister provides six reasons for the order being issued, as follows:

1. There is evidence that ERC's meeting procedures are not complying with the Meeting Code of Practice and there is a lack of appropriate respect and formality.

2. There is evidence to suggest that ERC is not complying with its work health and safety obligations as a result of the behaviours of some councillors.

3. There is evidence of hostility and acrimony between councillors that, if unaddressed, is likely to lead to dysfunction and reputational damage.

4. There are behaviours that indicate that some councillors may not understand their obligations under the code of conduct when dealing with the staff of council.

5. There are behaviours that indicate that some councillors may not understand their obligations under the code of conduct when dealing with each other.

6. There are behaviours that indicate that some councillors may not understand their obligations under the code of meeting practice.