Council picks up TAFE tab

RATEPAYERS will pay for a Casey councillor to attend TAFE.
Councillors agreed at Tuesday night’s council meeting to pay more than $800 to send new Strathard Ward councillor Michael Farley back to school.
Fellow ward councillor Lorraine Wreford put the motion forward on behalf of her counterpart, requesting approval for Cr Farley to undertake the Diploma of Community Development through Chisholm Institute of TAFE.
Cr Wreford claimed the course was completely relevant to Cr Farley’s role in local government and suggested all councillors look at enrolling.
“It is incredibly appropriate. Maybe we should all do it,” she said.
“As councillors we want to represent the community the best way we can and Cr Farley feels he needs this to better make his representation.”
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said council had copped a lot of flack following a similar proposal by former councillor Roland Abraham earlier in the year and asked for the matter to be deferred to ensure ‘everything was above board’.
“There was a lot of infighting and bad press after last term and I don’t want to put the council in jeopardy.
“We are using ratepayers’ money so we have to be very accountable,” he said.
But after looking through the course handbook, Cr Morland said he was satisfied that the diploma would benefit Cr Farley and Casey residents.
Councillors agreed to pay for the first year of the TAFE course and then review their decision.