Onkaparinga Council guilty of maladministration over high spending in Ombudsman’s report
Onkaparinga Council has been savaged for “substantial mismanagement” after it spent ratepayer cash on food, accommodation, flowers, gifts and an Adelaide Oval roof climb.
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The Ombudsman has blasted Onkaparinga Council in a report that found it wasted ratepayers’ money on entertainment, flowers, expensive accommodation, and even a roof climb at Adelaide Oval.
“After an extensive investigation, I formed the view that the council committed maladministration in public administration by its practice which resulted in the substantial mismanagement of public resources,’’ Ombudsman Wayne Lines said in a written statement.
“I noted that the expenditure was incurred during a period when the council’s internal procedures provided little guidance as to what constituted appropriate expenditure.
“It is to the council’s credit that, during the course of my investigation, it comprehensively reviewed its credit card expenditure guidelines and produced new policy documents.
“There does not appear to have been a pattern of misconduct on behalf of any particular individual.”
Acting CEO Kirk Richardson said; “I as acting CEO of the City of Onkaparinga and on behalf of the senior executive and administration, apologise to our communities for previous credit card expenditure’’.
The current Mayor Erin Thompson also apologised on behalf of the existing councillors, despite none of the maladministration happening during her office.
The Ombudsman highlighted the following issues;
EXPENDITURE by the Director’s Group, including restaurant meals, hire cars and catering.
CATERING for council employees.
GIFTS for council employees
PURCHASES of flowers
SPENDING on a hire car and accommodation for the former Chief Executive Officer’s trip to New Zealand and a roof climb at Adelaide Oval.
In another significant finding the former mayor Lorraine Rosenberg “did not commit maladministration in public administration’’.
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Onkaparinga spent $70,000 on credit cards in 18 months
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Mayor Rosenberg left office at the last election and CEO Mark Dowd has also left the council.
All other members of the director’s group remain at the council.
The finding are the culmination of a campaign by the Onkaparinga Council Watch resident group led by former councillor and law student Yvonne Wenham, who has also been trolled relentlessly on social media as a result of her campaign.
miles.kemp@com.au
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