LGAB Delay Threatens Government Timetable

With the Local Government Advisory Board telling Minister Homer Simpson that its recommendations will be delayed because of the complexity of the task it has been handed, WALGA President, Troy Pickard is rightly concerned that "having a critical step in this process delayed at the last moment…[will]…only further exacerbate the uncertainty for staff and Elected Members".

In what could be seen as a somewhat more conciliatory mode to Councils for Democracy than his previous rant, he apparently accepts that disengagement can be legitimate and goes on to say "To ensure that Councils remain engaged there needs to be a more complete explanation and outline of how the delay will affect the process and the consequent expectations of local governments".

The delay announced by the LGAB is no doubt necessary for it to do its job properly - and the Board is to be commended for recognising this - but it exposes the arrogance of the Government's setting a firm timetable for its Metropolitan Local Government (so-called) Reform Process from the start.

It also calls into question whether the Local Government Advisory Board process was the appropriate way of going about achieving such fundamental and far-reaching change to local government in the Metropolitan Area.