Further delays for Dorset Council Board of Inquiry as members weigh up future

It’s been 14 months since the Dorset Council was suspended, and the delays have left some members weighing up their future with the council. Latest.

Mayor Greg Howard, of Tasmania's Dorset Council.

The Dorset Council will lose at least three of its councillors, who won’t return after the suspended council is reinstated, the mayor says, as a report into the council’s dealings faces further delay.

The council was suspended in August last year, and a Board of Inquiry (BoI) was established, to investigate its dealings, amid allegations of “noncompliance and failings of good governance.”

The inquiry was expected to take seven months and a report was supposed to be handed down by the board, no later than the end of February this year.

But the date was pushed back to April 30, in light of the “a number of emerging issues”.

It’s now been 14 months since the council was suspended, and during that time, council decisions have been delegated to Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw.

Andrew Wardlaw, a 20-year veteran of local government in Tasmania, was appointed Dorset Council commissioner, after the council was suspended by Local Government Minister Nic Street. Picture: LinkedIn

“I’m just angry that it even went to a BoI,” suspended mayor Greg Howard said.

“The vast majority of councillors are basically pissed off and can’t believe there is a board of inquiry being held.

“We’re going to lose good councillors

“I’m not going back, I know of two others that aren’t, there are a couple of others certainly considering their position.

“Who’s going to stand for council when this can happen even though you’re doing the right thing?”

Mr Howard said one of the recent delays was the result of the council initially being denied the chance to make submissions on the report.

“This is a massive blunder on behalf of the BoI,” he said.

“The minister has sent the report back to the BoI who have given the council the opportunity to make submissions on any or all of the issues in the report.

“That submission was made at least a month ago and it’s my understanding it’s hundreds of papers.

“The board will have to reconsider the additional evidence from council and I imagine redo the report. I would think it would have a material impact on the timing of the report.”

Mr Howard said the community lacked a voice on council decisions the longer the BoI went on for.

“Most community groups don’t want to speak to the commissioner,” he said.

“They have no direction from the community because there are no councillors on the board.

“We’re just going to have to wait for the next report.”

Local Government Minister Nic Street said he expected to receive the final report “soon”.

“The Board of Inquiry did not consult with the council prior to providing me with its final report, which I have asked them to undertake,” Mr Street said.

Minister Nic Street. Picture: Alex Treacy

“I share the community’s desire that this inquiry process be concluded as soon as it can, however I must ensure that it is completed with due process being afforded to everyone involved and that all questions are resolved.

“Effectively operating councils are a cornerstone of our communities, especially in regional Tasmania. I will ensure this process is resolved as quickly and robustly as it can be.”