Mayor Mark Greenhill has concerns about the passing on Thursday [August 25] of new reforms to local government, which will see an extension to the mayoral term from 12 months to two years.
"As mayor, I have always taken comfort from the fact that each year I have had test my mandate with the elected councillors,” he told the Gazette.
"I would not want to see a mayor elected and, not behaving in a proper way, being immune from removal for two years. A great deal of damage could be done in that time.”
The mayor said the government had “not been clear on the checks and balances available to the council to ensure a two-year mayor acts in the community interest”.
NSW Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole, said the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Planning) Act is the first phase of the NSW government’s historic overhaul of local government legislation and complements the recent new integrity measures for councils. The reforms had been developed following four years of consulation with councils, business and the community.
“The legislation complements the NSW government’s major reform initiatives such as the creation of new councils and joint organisations,” Mr Toole said.
“Together these changes will improve confidence in the ability of councils to deliver the services and infrastructure the community deserves.”
The new legislation will introduce minimum two-year terms for mayors; appoint the Auditor-General as the auditor of all councils; allow for the appointment of a financial controller to councils at risk; clarify roles and responsibilities of councillors, mayors, administrators and general managers; improve governance of councils and professional development for councillors including covering the ethical conduct obligations of councillors; as well as enhancing the framework for strategic business planning and reporting and streamlining council administrative processes.
The mayor said he preferred not to comment on other aspects of the new law until he was more familiar with all the details.
