Hobsons Bay council has voted against a proposal to adopt its mayor and deputy mayor role statements at its October meeting on Tuesday night.
A recommendation calling on council to adopt the role statements prior to the mayoral elections on 14 November, referred to the findings of a recent inquiry into Whittlesea council, whose mayor Aidan McLindon was suspended earlier this year for improper conduct.
The inquiry found Mr McLindon failed in several essential respects to perform the role of mayor, including not putting in the required time and effort and not represent the council to the community.
The recommendation from council officers on Tuesday night argued that adopting the role statements would help safeguard Hobsons Bay from a similar outcome and strengthen governance processes.
The role statements, which outline the duties, powers and expectations for both the mayor and deputy mayor, were supported by Cr Kristin Bishop who said that the role of mayor was much more complex than normally assumed.
“The mayor is a cultural and strategic leader and needs to be capable of judgement, conciliation and analysis and capable of holding senior leaders accountable to a complex matrix of performance indicators,” Cr Bishop said
The proposal also received support from deputy mayor Rayane Hawli.
“Clear role statements also reinforce community confidence,” she said.
However, Cr Michael Disbury questioned the timing of the recommendation given mayoral elections are due in November.
Cr Disbury said the roles of mayor and deputy mayor were already outlined in the Local Government Act and said that what happened in Whittlesea should have no bearing on Hobsons Bay.
“To me it’s completely irrelevant.”
Cr Diana Grima said community members she’d spoken to were puzzled by the reference to Whittlesea council and that they appeared to understand what the mayoral role was all about.
Cr Lisa Bentley said no other council had adopted such role statements and that doing so risked political and bureaucratic interference.
The motion was ultimately voted down 3-2 with Hobsons Bay mayor Daria Kellander abstaining.
