A TRAINING WRECK AND IT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.........

Why does it come as no surprise that a recent newspaper article reports Minister Tony Simpson saying (for him) the CCC report into local government procurement was a 'wake-up call'.

The report called for greater external intervention into council finances to combat 'systematic weaknesses' open to abuse by employees, suppliers and contractors. Simpson also stated that he backed the Commission's recent recommendation in Parliament which urged the extension of the Auditor General's role to cover WA's 140 councils. The specific weaknesses identified in the CCC Report had left Council's vulnerable to fraud, corruption and misconduct.

Of course we all know of York's significant past weaknesses (failings) but I'm not sure what is more worrying, that the CCC (who have been established for over 10 years) have only just identified and reported on this endemic problem or that Tony Simpson admits to being asleep for the duration! 

I'm now even more depressed than I was before, is it no wonder James Best admits to putting out fires with blood! For a brief moment I was starting to think I might invite him to dinner to share a Prozac Soufflé and a nice Chianti.

So what on earth is Colin Barnett doing about one of his identified weaknesses - Tony Simpson, a serial offender inflicted with narcolepsy and terminal idiotitis? As if it wasn't already bad enough having to admit the failure of the Regional Transition Group amalgamation process (which by the way was extremely costly for all ratepayers, contrary to what we were told of the source of funding); every time Barnett opens the door another skeleton falls out and it certainly isn't dancing. Simmo should have received a good kick up the backside for his continual cock-ups but somehow, I doubt he was sent away with much more than a flea in his ear.

As this has turned out to be one very sordid mess with the potential for big fall out, it is likely there has been a great deal more arse covering than kicking to prevent damage to some already very tarnished reputations. Colin Barnett will now have to be seen to openly back (defend) Tony Simpson regardless of whether or not he condones his past or current actions. The Premier has suffered from too many failures in recent years with many associates previously classed as honest stalwarts having now fallen by the wayside with some more local minions even incarcerated. So, one more whiff (or even seat sniff) of trouble from the remainder could see him ridiculed yet again. 

In the Show Cause Notice issued to the York Council in November 2014, Minister Simpson stated:                        

I hereby give the Shire notice of my intention to make an order under section 8.15C(2) of the Act:(a) to suspend Council; and

(b) to require all members of Council to undertake governance training in the responsibilities and functions of a council under the Act, such training to focus on the statutory compliance duties of local government and to be at a place, for a duration, and of a standard and kind determined by the Department's Director General.

How dare Director General, Ms Jennifer Matthews conveniently forget her own faults and those of her Department and pass judgement on our compliance and procedures specifically at this time. This is hypocrisy at its worst or is it just cognitive dissonance?

Personally I would rather be known in life as an honest sinner than a lying hypocrite.

I doubt any amount of training from the dysfunctional Department of Local Government could be of benefit to York but, here we are in the middle of March and the suspended Councillor's still await news of the proposed dates so, why the delay?

Be under no misconception, this is probably part of a master plan by Minister Simpson, Ms Matthews and her shoddy 'Department'. I'm not so sure they have (or ever had) any intention to provide training to our currently suspended Councillors or any intent to put them back in situ.

With the latest despicable actions from a maverick Councillor, I foresee a flurry of attempts from the 'powers that be' to further discredit and demean the remaining three (I hasten to add, well respected) Councillors.  Needless to say they will have an eye on the prize, that being to bump off Shire President Matthew Reid.

I do hope my thoughts are misspent but I will be watching in anticipation and I suspect will many of you.

Just as I think it can't get any worse I find another dastardly document, which further confirms that Tony Simpson is a bigger plonker than I originally assumed.

During the discussions of 2013, Minister Simpson identified needs for well-trained council members which was a desire shared by WALGA. Shamefully,  both parties were reviewing this desire in relation to financial incentives and not for the purpose of providing simple good governance to the communities.

While there has been opportunity to come down hard on Minister Simpson I can't help but give mention to the original instigator of our woes - Frilly Castrilli, I sure would like to shake him firmly by the throat.

So even though it all comes back to money, at least I now know this time the delays can't be blamed on the lack of funding!

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES ACT 1975
DETERMINATION OF THE SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES TRIBUNAL
ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS Pursuant to Sections 7(B)   

June 2014 - Training for elected council members
As part of the Tribunal’s 2013 inquiry, the Minister for Local Government requested that consideration be given to the possibility of providing incentives for elected council members who participate in training programs in an effort to increase the capacity of local governments to successfully deliver services to the community.

29.  Advice received from the DLGC is that $1.52m of funding ($260,000 in 2013-14) has been received as part of the Royalties for Region program to enable the delivery of training to elected council members of non-metropolitan local governments. The proposed training project will support country local governments to improve governance and decision-making and upon completion, provide a pathway into the Elected Member stream of the Diploma of Local Government provided by WALGA. The skill set for local government elected council members is set out in the LGA04 Local Government Training Package of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

30.  The DLGC has informed the Tribunal that training will be offered in the first instance via two pilot programs to a limited number of elected council members in central regional locations by 30 June 2014.

31.  Given that this determination will be issued prior to the DLGC completing its evaluation of the pilot programs, the Tribunal considered that it was not appropriate to provide incentives or rewards for completion of training as part of this determination.

32.  The Tribunal will monitor the situation with a view to developing a means of rewarding training as part of the framework of fees, expenses and allowances in the next determination or sooner if the opportunity arises.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES ACT 1975

DETERMINATION OF THE SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES TRIBUNAL

ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS Pursuant to Sections 7(B)

June 2013 - Training for elected council members
68.   The Hon Tony Simpson, Minister for Local Government, and his predecessor asked the Tribunal to examine the issue of providing incentives for councils to be trained. The aim was to increase the capacity of council members both collectively and individually to acquit their responsibilities with a high degree of professionalism and acumen. This is an important element of the State Government’s reform initiative to increase the capacity of local governments to undertake their critical role in the governance and delivery of services to the community.
69.   The desire for well-trained council members was shared by WALGA and all those in the local government sector with whom the Tribunal consulted during the course of its inquiry. Some observations regarding the need for training and some of the barriers to accessing training have been discussed above.
70.   There are currently gaps in the availability, scope and recognition of training packages for council members. The Tribunal considered that at this point it was not possible to provide incentives or rewards for completion of training in the absence of widely accessible and nationally recognised training packages. The Department of Local Government is currently exploring options with training providers for the delivery of council member training within the Australian Qualifications Framework including options for online training.

71.   The Tribunal will continue to monitor the situation with a view to developing a means of rewarding training as part of the framework of fees, expenses and allowances in the next determination or sooner if the opportunity arises.

Simpson & due diligence in the same sentence