A plan to increase the number of middle managers at council, at a cost of $80,000, has been queried by several councillors.
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Greens Cr Kerry Brown with Liberals Kevin Schreiber and Brendan Christie were trying to overturn approval for the plan at last night’s council meeting, arguing that no case had been made for the increases.
The Review of Organisational Structure was passed unanimously in confidence at the August council meeting but the Gazette obtained a copy through freedom of information laws.
It recommended that four new program leader positions be created and three manager roles “refocused” at a cost of $80,000.
The report continued: “There will also be a requirement for further resources, on a needs basis, to deliver on the 2017-2021 council strategic priorities in the order of $270,000.”
“However, all the proposed organisational structure changes will be delivered from a combination of existing resources and savings generated from business improvement initiatives.”
The three councillors’ rescission motion said the business paper lacked detail about how the upgrades in rank and pay would lead to cost savings.
Cr Brown said: ”I doubt that management pay would be the ratepayers' first choice for spending the savings that are promised with the restructure.
“How can we justify rates increases that are stretching many low income households to the limit while padding our management costs?”
Cr Schreiber said he believed council had enough staff in middle management positions already.
“Why would we not be better off investing that money into community services, such as footpaths and general maintenance of our properties, which to me is money well spent for the future.”
But the mayor, Mark Greenhill, said he was “perplexed” why councillors wanted to overturn a decision they had already voted for.
“At its June meeting, council resolved unanimously to consider a review of the organisational structure.”
He said the restructure was not controversial and involved only “minor tweaks”.
“All organisations review their structure from time to time as normal business practice in order to evolve and improve performance.
“This seems to be yet another example of these councillors running interference in the council getting on with its job of successfully delivering services to the community. One can only assume it is politically motivated.
“It’s time to stop playing games. We are one year into the term of this council and I encourage these councillors to do what the community elected them to do.”
