Minister for Local Government Proposed Performance Improvement Order on the new Central Coast Council
Sep 5
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Team Central Coast is disappointed that Minister for Local Government, The Hon. Ron
Hoenig MP, believes there is a need to implement a Performance Improvement Order (PIO) on the new Central Coast Council, however, understands this news should be of no surprise to our community.
Team Central Coast Leader, Lawrie McKinna, says any resident who lives in our region
would have been concerned after reading the Central Coast Council Administrator’s Final Report by Outgoing Administrator, Rik Hart.
“The Administrator’s Final Report went into great detail regarding what went wrong at Council, who was responsible, and what needs to be addressed to rectify the problems,” says Mr McKinna.
“It appears the Minister for Local Government is concerned with what potential Councillors are intending to achieve, if elected.
The Minister has stated four main reasons for the proposed order:
Council needs to keep its budget discipline and maintain its financial sustainability.
Council needs to ensure it maintains access to appropriate staff expertise and engagement to provide secure advice to the Councillors on financial, governance and regulatory matters.
Council should only be changing strategic priorities with clear understanding of costs and have supporting strategies to ensure that Council doesn’t fund initiatives through either debt or inappropriate access of restricted funds; and
Council needs to continue to deliver and implement the changes required as part of the McCulloch Inquiry.
When read in conjunction with the supporting two schedules of the proposed PIO, the intent of the imposed order should be the intended purpose of all elected Councillors.
However, the 15 independent candidates who form Team Central Coast are disappointed that even after an extended time in administration, the Minister for Local Government still has concerns that the work undertaken during this period may be lost during the transition to an elected Council for Central Coast.
“The reason that I am proposing to use my power as Minister for Local Government is to create clear expectations for the future governance and operation of the Council”, said Minister Hoenig.
“All Team Central Coast members believe that elected Councillors need to focus on rebuilding trust with the residents of our region, all regional stakeholders and with the NSW Government,” adds Mr McKinna.
“It is critical that our region is never again placed in a position where our Council is dismissed, and an Administrator needs to be appointed to represent our local communities.”
TEAM CENTRAL COAST
Team Central Coast is community movement and a voice that encourages like-minded
independent candidates to become catalysts for change in regional governance. The Team Central Coast mission is simple and rooted in genuine consultation and collaboration with the community to achieve local outcomes that effectively address both current and future needs.
It is time for our region to come together, formulate a robust and inspiring vision, and
collaborate with all levels of government, business, and the community to ensure that the Central Coast remains an exceptional place to live, work, and thrive.
Lawrie McKinna
On behalf of the 15 Independent Candidates who form Team Central Coast
Media enquiries and interviews:
Lawrie McKinna
P: 0427 682 071
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