Department won't act on call for inquiry

The Department of Local Government has ruled out taking action on the internal conflicts at the Bunbury City Council and has said there were no indications a formal inquiry was warranted.

``The Department is aware of the ongoing conflicts at the City of Bunbury and has been providing assistance and advice on a number of issues it is dealing with,” the Department said in a statement to the Times.

The decision comes after Bunbury Mayor David Smith called for a formal inquiry into the operations and relationships at the Bunbury City Council.

The Mayor told the Times an inquiry could investigate if there were issues causing a “level of dysfunction” at the council.

He said he would support the temporary suspension of the council to enable an independent inquiry to take place.

The Mayor said he had a meeting booked with Local Government Minister Tony Simpson and he hoped the minister would take up the call.

``The minister may take the approach that there is a forthcoming election and that may resolve the issues,” Mr Smith said.

``There is no secret there are relationship issues with me, the CEO and some of the councillors.”

The call comes two weeks after the Times revealed the council had waived fines incurred by the city’s CEO and chief financial officer.

The decision to drop the fines prompted an anonymous complaint to the Corruption and Crime Commission.

The CCC referred the issue back to the council which voted to take no action on the infringements.

City of Bunbury CEO Andrew Brien was fined for driving in a nature reserve while chief financial officer Wayne Wright was fined for parking in an ACROD bay.

The infringements – of $120 and $250 respectively – were issued last year.

An outpouring of public fury followed the revelation including criticism from National Disability Services WA, the controlling body of the ACROD Parking Program.

The Times also revealed letters had been sent to councillors about the issue which had been falsely signed as written by councillors.

City of Bunbury CEO Andrew Brien said he was seeking advice from the Department of Local Government and CCC about the “mischievous” letters.

Yesterday an email containing allegations about Mayor David Smith, written by one of the city’s longest-standing councillors, was leaked to the media.

The Mayor said he was “taking advice” on the contents of the letter even though he had a policy of not taking legal action when criticised.

He said the council had attempted to resolve issues internally and had enlisted external help but an inquiry was now needed.

``My approach, in light of what has happened recently, would be for an inquiry to established the truth of what is being said and clearly there is a problem with the relationships at council,” the Mayor said.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson said he had been in touch with the Department of Local Government about the issue.

In a closed-door meeting today the council voted to muzzle the Mayor and councillors from making media comments until after the Local Government elections on October 19.

Mr Brien, the city’s CEO, will take all media requests.