City of Perth council house
The City of Perth is set to incur substantial costs following the appointment of a Local Government Inspector’s monitor, aimed at overseeing the city’s management. The city will face a bill of $900 per day for the services of Carol Adams, the newly appointed monitor, accumulating to over $35,000 over a 13-week period. This fee does not encompass superannuation, which will be an additional expense for ratepayers.
Tony Brown, the Local Government Inspector, selected Adams earlier this month due to her extensive experience in local government and her respected background as a former lawyer and mayor of the City of Kwinana. “She will report to me while working proactively with the City of Perth to assist in resolving governance challenges,” Brown stated.
Adams officially commenced her role on January 15, 2024, and is tasked with evaluating pressing governance issues that have arisen within the council and its administration. Her assignment will conclude on April 17, 2024, although her contract may be extended if necessary. During her tenure, Adams will work three days a week, reviewing the City of Perth’s governance practices and decision-making processes.
Her responsibilities will include observing meetings—some of which are held in private—inspecting documents, and evaluating governance practices. The insights gathered will be reported back to Tony Brown.
City of Perth councillor Catherine Lezer expressed her disappointment over the situation, describing it as “embarrassing.” She commented, “It’s embarrassing that just five years after we had the last inquiry, we’re here having a monitor. I think it’s so disappointing that we’re having to spend so much of ratepayers’ money on this stuff after that and a half million that we spent five years ago.”
In a related development, the city’s audit, risk, and improvement committee is scheduled to convene for a special meeting on January 17, 2024, at 16:00 local time. The agenda includes a confidential item titled “psychosocial risk assessment report,” for which Michelle Reynolds, the Chief Executive Officer, is the responsible officer. This report includes a set of confidential recommendations.
Committee members will include Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds, along with councillors Raj Doshi, Liam Gobbert, and Lezer, as well as two independent members. Adams is also expected to attend the meeting, contributing her insights on the governance issues at hand.
The situation underscores ongoing concerns about the management of the City of Perth and the financial implications for its residents, as the council seeks to address governance shortcomings while managing costs effectively.
