The Minister for Local Government will appoint a Town Monitor for Horsham Rural Town Council
The Victorian government has appointed a City Monitor to oversee a fourth Victorian council charged with dysfunctional conduct.
Key points:
- Local Government Minister Melissa Horne has confirmed she will appoint a monitor to a council in western Victoria
- Local MP Emma Kealy and councilor Ian Ross were among those who called for the decision yesterday
- The board said it self-reported governance issues to the former minister on June 2
The mayor and chief executive of Horsham Rural City Council has asked the government to intervene after a series of allegations of misconduct and a toxic working culture.
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne said the monitor’s identity and length of stay in Horsham would be announced at a later date.
In a statement, Ms Horne said: “The decision was made at the request of the mayor and the council’s CEO who sought to ensure that the council has the guidance it needs to successfully play its role and serve the local community effectively.
Horsham Mayor Robyn Gulline and CEO Sunil Bhalla met in person with former local government minister Shaun Leane to voice concerns about governance practices.
“This meeting was followed by a formal request to Minister Leane on June 14 to appoint a City Monitor to assist council,” a council spokesperson said.
Other Victorian councils independently overseen by the government include Darebin, Moira and Wodonga.
