Final Board of Inquiry report into Glenorchy City Council is ‘scathing and highly critical’

THE final report of the Board of Inquiry into the Glenorchy City Council has savaged aldermen and senior management, saying they failed to provide leadership and good governance. SEE THE KEY FINDINGS

THE final report of the Board of Inquiry into the Glenorchy City Council has savaged aldermen and senior management, saying they failed to provide leadership and good governance to the city.

It outlines recommendations and says the council is in need of major reforms.

More than two years after it was established by Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein — because of multiple legal challenges — the final report by the board has finally been tabled in State Parliament.

MORE: READ THE FULL REPORT

MORE: UPPER HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO SACK COUNCIL

Key findings of the report include:

A NUMBER of aldermen failed to monitor effectively council’s performance, council’s assets and the performance of former general manager Peter Brooks.

THE animosity, defiance, distrust and lack of willingness to work together for the good of the council and the community has now put the governance framework of the council beyond repair.

MAYOR Kristie Johnston’s authority to act as the chair of the council was challenged consistently by a group of seven aldermen and by senior management.

ALDERMEN who represented the council on the General Manager’s Performance Review Committee failed to undertake their duties and responsibilities.

MR Brooks failed to provide support for Ms Johnston and support for her office that reduced her capacity to undertake her duties.

THERE were a number of consistent breaches by aldermen of the code of conduct, and meeting regulations.

MR Brooks failed to comply with a number of functions under the Local Government Act and “frequently” failed to comply with principles of good governance and effective leadership.

HE failed to ensure that council complied with its policies.

HE failed to monitor a number of significant council operations and projects.

THE behaviour of Director of Corporate Governance and General Counsel Seva Iskandarli damaged the relationship between the community and the council and actively undermined Ms Johnston.

THE actions of Ms Iskandarli in challenging the mayor’s authority and failure to correct or retract inaccurate advice, and the interference in aldermanic relationships contributed significantly to the dysfunctionality of the council.

Glenorchy City Council Chambers. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

MORE: PAYOUT QUERIES OVER BROOKS’ DEPARTURE

MR Brooks acted “unethically and unprofessionally, and in breach of his functions

under the Act” in instructing his personal lawyer to undertake a full review of his contract and then presenting a contract which if accepted would have provided substantial personal and monetary benefits to him.

MS Iskandarli acted outside her authority in allowing this to happen.

HER actions constituted “unethical and unprofessional conduct”.

FORMER mayor and alderman Stuart Slade did not “adequately” fulfil his role as chairman of the GMPRC and “failed to demonstrate the leadership, impartiality, accountability and responsibility which the role demanded”.

A “BIZARRE” interpretation of a council resolution by Ms Iskandarli, Mr Brooks and Mr Slade led to a series of events around Mr Brooks’ contract that “could have had serious financial and operational consequences for council and the community”.

Upon tabling the report in parliament, Mr Gutwein slammed the council.

“It is scathing and highly critical,” he said.

As revealed by the Mercury in February, Mr Gutwein said the recommendations of the report were:

THAT the Glenorchy aldermen be sacked.

A COMMISSIONER be appointed by the Government.

A REVIEW of management be implemented immediately.

Mr Gutwein said the Local Government Division was now investigating whether any issues would result in penalties and could be passed on to other bodies.

“It marks a major milestone in restoring public trust in Glenorchy,” Mr Gutwein said.

“It is important the Glenorchy community have time to consider the report and all of the information it contains.”

The report’s release comes hot on the heels of the departure of GCC general manager Peter Brooks.

The Mercury last night obtained an email from Glenorchy Commissioner Sue Smith telling staff Mr Brooks had not been employed since November 14 and acting general manager Tony McMullen has been appointed his replacement.

“It is important the Glenorchy community have time to consider the report and all of the information it contains,” he said.

Ms Iskandarli is still employed by the council and has been on paid leave for several months.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein, pictured today in the House of Assembly, has released the final report of the Board of Inquiry into the dysfunctional Glenorchy City Council. Picture: RICHARD JUPE