Gold Coast council: Mayoral directives no longer hidden as councillors get regular updates

A major change is being implemented which backers believe will boost public confidence in council.

COUNCILLORS will be updated on a monthly basis on mayoral directives as the Gold Coast City Council responds to the reforms created by the State Government’s Belcarra laws.

The Bulletin has previously reported that councillors were initially unaware of a mayoral directive that stopped CEO Dale Dickson from taking action against Mayor Tom Tate’s then chief of staff, Wayne Moran, after he allegedly failed to declare conflicts of interest.

A report to council’s event, tourism and governance committee yesterday said new laws require the CEO to keep a record of each direction given to him, and “make available to the local government each direction mentioned”.

Photo of CEO Dale Dickson and Mayor Tom Tate. Pic by Richard Gosling.

Mr Dickson at the committee meeting said he believed monthly reporting would be a suitable time frame. It is understood the directives, if not commercial in confidence, will be made public.

Councillor William Owen-Jones successfully moved to ensure councillors were updated immediately on directives being issued that had an impact on their division.

The changes have been welcomed by Cr Glenn Tozer, who in November 2017 sought advice from the Local Government Department about mayoral directives that led to a complaint later being forwarded by officers to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Cr Glenn Tozer — welcomes Belcarra reforms on mayoral directives. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

Cr Tate has since been referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor for alleged misconduct after his directive blocked disciplinary action against Mr Moran. He denies any breach of council policy or inappropriate behaviour.

Cr Tozer told the Bulletin: “I have met with Minister (Stirling) Hinchliffe about the matter and was interviewed by the CCC about my views.

“Frankly, I am glad these changes have been introduced and believe they are a step toward improving public confidence in local government across the state, and in our city.”

Councillors were legislatively obliged to hold each other and the Mayor to account, ensuring the public could have confidence in local government governance, he said.

“Keeping information from councillors about the Mayor’s directives, or only providing that information on request, prevents councillors from meeting that obligation or sometimes meeting it in a timely manner,” Cr Tozer said.

“The changes will mean that each month, each councillor can read any directive issued and ask appropriate questions about any direction’s compliance with council policy. If any direction is inconsistent with a council policy, there can be a transparent and accountable conversation about that.”