Redland councillor Adelia Berridge blames ‘vexatious’ complaints for whopper $30k expenses

A bayside councillor says she has been made to look like a reckless spender after legal costs paid for by council insurance policies were attributed to her.

Redland mayor Karen Williams clocked up expenses to the council of $26,299 for the year. She crashed her luxury council-owned car during that financial year, with the expenses outlined in a Right To Information document separate to the annual report.

An outspoken bayside councillor says she has been publicly shamed for legitimately using thousands of dollars in council insurance to defend herself from more than 30 unsubstantiated complaints.

Redland City councillor Adelia Berridge racked up reported expenses totalling more than $32,000, the highest of all the city’s 10 councillors and mayor, according to the city’s annual report, which has been made public.

Cr Berridge questioned the figures during fiery debate in a council meeting over the accuracy of the city’s annual report where it was revealed her expenses outstripped those of mayor Karen Williams.

The mayor chalked up $26,299 for the year in which she travelled to Canada, America and intrastate and triggered insurance claims after crashing a council-owned luxury vehicle, the report said.

The crashed luxury council vehicle. Picture: RTI

After a rowdy exchange with the council’s deputy mayor Julie Talty at the meeting, Cr Berridge said her expenses were inflated while costs linked to the mayor’s 2022 crash were not included in the annual report.

A 282-page council file called Damage to Council Vehicle is published on the council website but not referred to in the annual report which showed a total of $183,092 in councillor costs for the year.

“I believe my reported expenses should be $28,000 less than what has been reported as I did not make any claims for travel outside Redland city.

“The figures in the annual report include the council insurance used to pay my legal fees to defend myself against 30 claims — 29 of which have been dismissed and many which were vexatious.

“I have not received any breakdown to show where I accrued the expenses and I have not seen any receipts for my legal bills, which will all be covered by the council’s insurance.

“I have a right to know how much in insurance costs was added to my total expenses figure.”

An RTI document outlining some of the estimated costs, which totalled $59,361 to replace the mayor’s crashed car.

Redland City Council’s General Counsel Andrew Ross told the meeting the figures attributed to Cr Berridge were correct.

“The information has been vetted by the officers and the council has always responded to councillor requests to detail costs and expenses incurred by the organisation,” Mr Ross said.

“Those costs have been audited as well so they are accurate as far as we have assessed them.”

Cr Berridge said officers were unable to show her where in the annual report costs for the car damage reports, photographs, insurance negotiations, legal responses, risk and liability services, and media costs were detailed.

She was able to use council legal insurance to defend herself after more than 30 complaints were made against her since June 2022.

Last week, she went to the Supreme Court to challenge the way complaints levelled against her were handled by the Independent Assessor.

That Supreme Court case continues before Judge Catherine Muir.

A Redland City Council spokesperson said the breakdown for Councillor expenses in Redland City Council’s 2022-2023 Annual Report includes insurance excess costs incurred by Council. For example, insurance excesses related to legal fees.

“In the 2022-2023 Financial Year, Council incurred two professional indemnity insurance excess charges for legal expenses relating to two judicial review matters.

“All Councillors were provided advice on 1 August 2023 that Councillor expenses in the Annual Report would include insurance excess expenses relating to legal services, which was based on advice from the Department of Local Government.

“All Councillors are covered by Redland City Council’s professional indemnity insurance, and it is matter for the insurer to determine which claims they will accept.

“Regarding the costs related to a Redland City Council vehicle involved in an accident on June 23, 2022, Council has been reimbursed for the vehicle through its insurer and the Mayor has fully reimbursed Council for the insurance excess.”