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Wingecarribee Shire Council given suspension notice

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Wingecarribee Shire Council has been hit with a notice of intention to suspend it for three months and appoint an interim administrator.

The Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock issued the notice yesterday.  

It follows concerns about the council’s ability to function properly and effectively following a worsening and ongoing breakdown of relationships between councillors and senior staff.

Minister Hancock says mediation and training provided to the mayor and councillors and appointment of a temporary adviser under a Performance Improvement Orderhas not had the desired effect of addressing the issues facing the council.

Council now has seven days to explain why it should not be suspended and an independent administrator appointed to identify and address the serious issues impacting its functioning and restore community confidence.

By law the Minister must consider any submission before making a final decision.

Suspension would apply to the mayor and councillors.

It would not affect council staff and daily operations.

The interim administrator would perform the functions of the mayor and councillors.