Minister Paul Toole ‘profoundly disappointed’ over missed deadline

LOCAL Government Minister Paul Toole is “profoundly disappointed” with North Sydney Council’s behaviour

Local Government NSW annual conference in Coffs Harbour. NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Local Government Paul Toole attend the conference

LOCAL Government Minister Paul Toole is “profoundly disappointed” with North Sydney Council’s behaviour.

He ordered the embattled council to improve its performance and issued a 10-point action plan to be completed within five months.

But the council missed the April 30 deadline and the Minister has agreed to an extension after an appeal.

“I am profoundly disappointed by the delay in achieving compliance with the requirements of the PIO (Performance Improvement Order),” he wrote to the council.

North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson needs to do conflict resolution with general manager Warwick Winn as part of the order. Picture: Virginia Young

He wants a report immediately after the council meeting on June 22 detailing how the council has complied with his orders. The council had told him it was in a position to provide the report by June 26.

The original PIO deadline was missed as Mr Toole’s request for the Mayor Jilly Gibson and General Manager Warwick Winn to take part in conflict resolution was held up.

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Two rounds of legal advice were sought on the matter and Mr Winn was also on leave in April. They have now started the process with Michael Kirby, a former High Court judge.

Other sections of the PIO demands were also not completed by the deadline.

Documents tabled at Monday’s council meeting show that the Mayor and councillors did not participate in code of meeting practice and code of conduct training until May 13.

And the Mayor and councillors took part in a conflict resolution workshop earlier this month with a psychologist — designed to resolve the ongoing conflict between them.

Many heated meetings have been held at the North Sydney Council chambers. Picture: Danielle Butters

The council has spent $23,652.68 to date on complying with the range of orders in the PIO. The full bill for training and conflict resolution is yet to be added up.

In a statement to the Mosman Daily, Mr Toole said he was very disappointed that the council had requested an extension.

He said when he issued the PIO it was clear the council’s functioning was impaired and needed to be improved.

“As Minister for Local Government, I expect every councillor and general manager in NSW to adhere to the highest standards of honesty and integrity and to work constructively and effectively in the best interests of the community who elected them,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the council said a report will go to the Minister after the council meeting on June 22.

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