COUNCILS have been asked to pull their purse strings in when it comes to frivolous spending.
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No, not spending on roads, rubbish or vital infrastructure, but on cakes and coffees and over-the-top Christmas trees which cost ratepayers $1 million last festive season.
The City of Ballarat is not immune from this ridiculous outpouring of ratepayer money, receiving a rap over the knuckles for outlaying $30,000 over three years on cakes.
Presumably these culinary delights have not been for just the councillors and officers, but for such events as civic receptions and lunches for VIP ratepayers and visitors to the city.
In the scheme of things, $10,000 a year for delicious munchies may not sound like much to some, but it means a whole lot of vanilla slices and chocolate eclairs.
The Essential Services Commission is creating a framework for a rates-capping plan to begin in 2016-17. This plan will limit increases to inflation, except for special circumstances.
Municipalities and the ESC will meet this month to discuss the plan.
At the weekend, Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins voiced concerns some councils would increase rates during the 2015-16 financial year, ahead of the scheme.
In her swipe at councils, Ms Hutchins described some of the councils’ spending as over-the-top, particularly when it came to executive salaries.
Top council executives are paid well and truly in the six-figure category. But do some of them deserve such an exorbitant price tag for their work?
Indecisiveness, backtracking on promises and the constant need to over-consult on many major issues in Ballart, including the Civic Hall, the saleyards, Black Hill pool and Victoria Park, have left many Ballarat ratepayers wondering where their hard-earned rates are really going.
People in this city want answers to important issues and for the council to stick to them.
They want to be heard and they want the City of Ballarat councillors and executives to listen to them.
If the thoughts and wishes of Ballarat residents were truly taken to heart and really considered, rather than just offering lip services, then maybe these large salaries would be warranted.
