New council ‘should pick shire’s CEO’

By Cherie Donnellan
RESIDENTS might ask State Government to stop council recruiting Surf Coast Shire’s new chief executive officer before municipal elections in October, according to a spokesperson.
Clive Goldsworthy said he was among a group of Lorne residents considering asking Local Government Minister Jeannette Powell to delay the appointment so the new council could choose.
“Under the local government Act the minister has the right to instruct a council they’re not to appoint a new CEO,” Mr Goldsworthy said.
“Given the general feeling of community, that we’ve lost confidence in council, I think we’d have a pretty solid case to put to the minister.”
Several ratepayers used council’s June meeting to question council’s decision to appoint the new chief before elections.
They feared the appointment could affect the relationship between the chief and the new council, damaging “quality of governance”.
Lorne’s Chris Tutungi suggested council should appoint an acting chief until the new council was in place.
Council’s response in the meeting’s minutes was that councillors had agreed to fill the position “now rather than wait”.
Barrabool resident and former Geelong councillor Heather Wellington said the new council should make the “critical” decision.
Any governing body should have the chance to select its CEO to ensure a “good relationship”, she said.
Ms Wellington also feared “quality” prospective candidates would avoid applying over concerns about council changing so soon after their appointment.
Various community groups had endured “terrible battles” with the incumbent council, she said.
“It’s been brought up several times that the community has lost confidence in council and its ability to make important decisions.”