Council to investigate implications of reducing number of councillors

Temora Shire Council will investigate the implications and required process involved in potentially reducing the number of Councillors from nine to seven. At its August ordinary council meeting, council resolved that the general manager prepare a report investigating the implications and required process should council consider reducing the number of councillors from nine to seven, for consideration by councillors at a future meeting. The Notice of Motion was moved by mayor Rick Firman and seconded by councillor Nigel Judd. Councillors Paul Mahon and Ken Smith voted against the motion. The resolution does not commit council to reducing the number of councillors. Rather, it seeks information to allow councillors to consider the potential advantages, disadvantages and process involved before any future decision is made. The report will consider the financial impacts and potential savings, legislative and electoral requirements, governance effectiveness, community representation, diversity of views, risks, benefits and implementation timeframes. It will also consider the implications of moving from nine to seven Councillors, including changes to electoral quotas and quorum requirements. Cr Judd supported investigating the matter, provided the report gives equal consideration to the arguments for and against a reduction in councillor numbers. He acknowledged there were strong arguments on both sides and said he supported considering the matter through a comprehensive report. Cr Firman said council should consider the matter without any predetermined view. “Let’s be frank, the last time we considered this there were very good points raised by councillor Judd, and I think it would take a lot of convincing of the chamber. I don’t think any of us are convinced at this stage,” Cr Firman said. “However, it is the responsible thing for Council to do to at least have a report weigh up the pros and cons. “We can then consider that information when it comes before us. “I think it sends a good message to our staff and our community as part of securing our future, that we are looking at every aspect of council, including the number of councillors.” During the discussion, councillor Anthony Irvine sought clarification on whether a change to the number of councillors would require a community vote. General manager Melissa Boxall advised that the current resolution only seeks a report into the implications and required process. Any proposal to change the number of councillors would require a referendum, which could not occur until the end of the current council term, with any change taking effect from the following term. Cr Irvine supported investigating the matter but said it should be given a low priority within the general manager’s workload, given that any potential change could not be implemented until after the 2028 elections. He also suggested there could be value in seeking community feedback as part of the process. Councillor Mahon supported retaining nine councillors, noting the significant workload currently facing council and the importance of having all available councillors working together to address the challenges facing the shire. He also raised concerns about adding to the general manager’s existing workload. Councillor Smith supported Cr Mahon’s position, noting the importance of having sufficient councillors to provide a balanced range of views, particularly when councillors are absent. The matter had previously been considered at council’s April ordinary council meeting, where a similar Notice of Motion moved by Cr Firman and seconded by Cr Graham Sinclair was lost, with councillors Nigel Judd, Brenton Hawken, Anthony Irvine, Narelle Djukic and Ken Smith voting against. During the April discussion, Cr Judd raised concerns that reducing the number of councillors could make it more difficult for council to function effectively when councillors were absent due to illness or holidays. He also raised concerns about the potential increase in the electoral quota required to be elected and the impact this could have on representation, particularly from rural areas of the shire. The August resolution allows council to obtain further information before determining whether any future action should be considered. Cr Firman said the report would provide councillors with the opportunity to properly consider the issue and its potential impacts. “We can have genuine, robust discussions on the numbers and the pros and cons, but it is important that we have the information in front of us to properly consider the issue,” Cr Firman said. “There are no predetermined views. Once the report is received, councillors will be able to consider the information and determine whether any further action is appropriate.” Temora Shire Council

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