Accountability... not!

Honest, law-abiding citizens and ratepayers of Bridgetown-Greenbushes who learned that auditors had found a series of irregularities, including illegal arrangements, occurring within our Shire would perhaps expect some serious action to be taken as a result.

But wait, this is Bridgetown, where it seems the normal rules do not apply…

Our elected councillors have been provided with a report which found, among other things;

-       - a breach of the Local Government Act by Shire staff who allowed a private individual to use the swimming pool kiosk as a business without putting this free lease out to tender,

-       - evidence that staff at the tip have been using money collected from the public for “stationary etc” without accounting for it,

-       - a failure to put rules in place for the use of credit cards by senior staff,

-      -  staff receiving cash advances without having to sign for the money.

So what have they done?  Simply agreed with the CEO’s recommendation that changes to address the issues raised be introduced in stages over the next six months or so (no rush).

Questioned about the auditor’s report at the June Council meeting, Shire President Brian Moore had this to say: “The items raised by the auditor, are not items that cause any major concerns for the operation of this Council. I have complete and utter faith in the CEO and the staff in the handling of these matters.”

(I wonder what it was about the revelations of a lack of proper processes and controls in relation to the handling of ratepayers funds that gave the President such confidence.)

 Asked if members of the public could be allowed to view the credit card statements to satisfy themselves there had been no abuses, Mr Moore replied: “You can apply for an FOI (Freedom of Information Act request) for that information”.

 Under Mr Moore’s picture on the Council’s internet home page are listed “Council Values”  One of them is ‘openness and accountability’.