Local state government MPs and the Minister for Local Government Adam Somyurek have cautioned City of Ballarat councillors it is their job to scrutinise the behaviour of their chosen CEO, while acknowledging they welcome the council's swift response to the Victorian ombudsman's critical report.
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Minister Somyurek told The Courier in a statement he will 'write to the Council and seek an explanation of how the Council will take action on the report.'
On the same day as appointing administrators to the troubled Casey Council, the minister's department said the state government expects all councils to have appropriate measures in place to ensure council staff comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act and 'observe the highest standards of governance in the performance of their duties.'
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"We thank the Ombudsman for their report and are pleased Ballarat City Council too has accepted its recommendations," Mr Somyurek's statement said.
"Under the Local Government Act councillors are responsible for the employment and management of the CEO."
Both member for Buninyong Michaela Settle and member for Wendouree Juliana Addison echoed the minister's remarks.
Ms Addison told The Courier it's vital that the council has strong governance and absolute commitment to total procedural transparency.
"It's the role of elected councillors to appoint and manage a CEO, and I welcome both the report and the council's response," Ms Addison said.
Ms Settle said while she too welcomed the council's swift acceptance of the ombudsman's critical report, it did remain to be seen how effectively it was translated into action and change of council's culture.
"We've worked very hard to have a constructive relationship with council," Ms Settle said.
"I have confidence in both council and councillors following the direction of the report."
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