Councillors vote for state government to intervene at their “dysfunctional” municipality

WHITTLESEA Council has voted to request a municipal monitor following a heated special meeting in which a councillor suggested administrators be called in.

WHITTLESEA Council has voted to request a municipal monitor following a heated special meeting on Tuesday night in which a councillor suggested administrators be called in.

A majority bloc, including Mayor Kris Pavlidis, voted in favour of an amended motion to request the appointment of a monitor to review and make suggestions about council conduct over six months.

Mayor Ricky Kirkham said at the meeting she was “embarrassed” by the behaviour of some councillors.

GOVERNMENT MONITORS COUNCIL AMID GROWING TENSIONS

WHITTLESEA COUNCIL MEETING ABANDONED DUE TO NO-SHOW

FORMER TOP COP ANNOUNCED AS WHITTLESEA COUNCIL CEO

Councillor Ricky Kirkham, who co-authored a letter requesting a monitor for 18 months, said he would call another special meeting next Tuesday for the council to consider going into administration.

The decision comes after a meeting was called by the oppositional bloc requesting council consider appointing a municipal monitor for 18 months.

Some councillors have been ejected from meetings in recent months.

Earlier in the week Cr Kirkham had called for the state government to intervene, describing the council as “dysfunctional”.

Former Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland, who is now City of Whittlesea chief executive.

Whittlesea’s CEO is former Victorian police commissioner Simon Overland.

It is understood that the council has split into two factions, including a voting bloc of Labor Party-aligned councillors including Mayor Kris Pavlidis.

The rival faction includes Cr Mary Lalios, who is also president of the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Whittlesea Councillor Mary Lalios, who is also president of the Municipal Association of Victoria.

“Without the appointment of a municipal monitor, Whittlesea City Council is at risk of becoming increasingly dysfunctional and unworkable,” their motion said.

Cr Kirkham said: “There is a culture of censorship where poor decisions are rammed through with no accountability.”

“Confidence needs to be restored to give ratepayers faith council is acting in their best interests.”

Last month, the Herald Sun reported that the government was keeping an eye on the council amid ongoing tension between councillors.

Cr Pavlidis welcomed the request for the monitor, saying she had become increasingly concerned about the conduct from some councillors during meetings.

“Council meetings need to be a place of robust, intelligent debate and importantly a place of decorum,” she said.

“As mayor I am committed to chairing meetings that allow decision making to follow democratic processes and where councillors conduct themselves professionally, respectfully and adhere to the relevant code of conduct and legislation.”

Cr Desiato claimed the community had been denied a fair hearing on key issues.

“Instead of picking up rubbish — council is treating residents like rubbish,” she said.

Mayor Kris Pavlidis with two female athletes.

MORE HERALD SUN NEWS:

OUTLAW BIKIES ARRESTED IN RAIDS ACROSS MELBOURNE

FRIENDS TRIED TO REACH OUT TO BOMBER

GANG KILLER CARL WILLIAMS’ GIRL WANTS TO BE A LAWYER