This is the personal blog of Ian Ker, who was Councillor for the South Ward of the Town of Vincent from 1995 to 2009. I have been a resident of this area since 1985. This blog was originally conceived as a way of letting residents of Vincent know what I have been doing and sharing thoughts on important issues. I can now use it to sound off about things that concern me.

If you want to contact me, my e-mail is still ian_ker@hotmail.com or post a comment on this blog.

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Monday, July 7, 2014

Minister Still Doesn't Get It

The whole of the Metropolitan Local Government Reform Update this week is devoted to the legal action lodged with the Supreme Court by myself, the City of Subiaco, the City of South Perth and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale.

I do not intend to comment here on a number of points in the Update that actually appear to support contentions of the legal action, but I cannot let pass the Minister's rather naive comments on the situation in South Perth without response.

On the one hand, he commends the 'engagement between the council and their community' with regard to a possible name for a new entity. On the other hand, he is critical (not surprisingly) of the South Perth Council's 'joining the legal action to stop mergers'.

Does he not realise the extent to which the legal action is supported by communities - not just South Perth but across the metropolitan area?

Does he think that the South Perth Council is so out of touch with its community that it made the decision in direct opposition to community views?

Equally important, does he not see how councils might find it necessary to protest against the process, through legal action, while also seeking the best outcome for their communities should the action fail? This is responsible risk management that Mr Simpson really should support.

Life is not always simple, Mr Simpson, and sometimes we have to hedge our bets. That councils like South Perth (and others that have not joined the legal action) find it necessary to go along with your process while having a primary position that opposes reduction in council numbers for the sake of it is no more than a responsible response to your simplistic strategy of reducing council numbers rather than helping councils achieve what they are there for more effectively.

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