Northern Beaches Council: Dudded Liberal candidates form ‘shadow council’ to scrutinise decisions

Former Liberal councillors, robbed of the chance to seek re-election by the party’s nominations scandal, are forming a “shadow council” in order to get “some sort of seat” on the northern beaches.

Former Liberal councillors Karina Page and Michael Gencher, who missed out on the chance to run for re-election in September, are part of a new “shadow council” set up to scrutinise local government decisions on the northern beaches. Pictures: Supplied

Former Liberal councillors, robbed of the chance to seek re-election by the party’s nominations scandal, are forming a “shadow council” in order to get “some sort of seat” at the local government table on the northern beaches.

“We have no more ability or power than any individual ratepayer, but we want to make a noise,” Michael Gencher, the former Liberal councillor behind the initiative, told this masthead.

The group’s recruitment drive is ramping up, with other Liberal candidates unable to run at the September poll invited to join, along with ex-councillors from outside the party.

Mr Gencher said members of the public could also be part of the “shadow council”, which was designed to “challenge decisions that place unnecessary financial and bureaucratic strain on households and businesses”.

The Northern Beaches Council’s proposal to lift rates by up to 46pc over the next three years, in a bid to help it balance its budget, will be the first issue in the new group’s sights.

An artist’s concept design of the proposed new Manly Life Saving Club. The project could be in jeopardy if the Northern Beaches Council cannot introduce special rate rises to boost its revenue over the next three years. Picture: Supplied

It will also scrutinise the council’s “Your Say” public submission process, which is now seeking ratepayer feedback on whether they are willing to accept rate rises to help maintain existing services and pay for future infrastructure.

Mr Gencher confirmed he and former Liberal councillor Karina Page would attend the next council meeting on December 10 before convening an online meeting of the “shadow council” a week later.

He expects at least 10 people will log on to the inaugural “shadow council” meeting.

The Liberal Party had picked 15 candidates to run for the Northern Beaches Council on September 14, but only one name made it onto the ballot paper after its state headquarters failed to lodge nomination forms in time.

“We’ll discuss the business and outcomes of the council meetings, consider their implications, and plan actions where necessary,” Mr Gencher said.

“(The Liberals) are missing from the table and this is a way of getting some sort of seat.

“But it’s bipartisan, it’s open to the community and will provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns.

“It’s an opportunity to present alternative views and a mechanism to hold the council accountable.”

Mr Gencher said the “shadow council” would lobby and urge councillors, and make official submissions to the council, on issues it was concerned about.

Former Northern Beaches Council members Jose Menano-Pires (left) and Pat Daley (right) had an idea to form a “council in exile”. Picture: Martin Lange

In September, retired Your Northern Beaches Independents councillor Jose Menano-Pires, along with veteran former Liberal councillor Pat Daley, setting up a “council in exile”.

He has now confirmed he will join the group Mr Gencher is spearheading.

would join the Shadow Council.

Mr Menano-Pires, who held numerous senior local Liberal Party roles and represented the party on the defunct Warringah Council, said it was “time we put something in place for the benefit of the community”.

“Someone needs to keep an eye on what’s going on,” he said.