Councillors warned

– Callan Date
CITY of Casey officials have moved to stop councillors embroiling the council in costly legal battles with residents.
A confidential memo was recently sent to all 11 councillors outlining their responsibilities when commenting about issues involving the municipality being responsible for damage or loss that a resident incurs.
The memo, signed by acting chief executive Steve Dalton, noted some councillors had admitted to residents that council was at fault in various situations.
“Councillors have a vital role in representing their constituents,” the memo read.
“It is important however, that councillors and officers do not infer or state that the council is responsible for damage or loss that a resident or residents may incur.”
Cr Kevin Bradford said he was worried that the senior management of the council was challenging democracy.
He said councillors were elected to direct officers on what residents want and need.
“The whole culture of this council is that the officers are directing the councillors in what to say,” Cr Bradford said.
“Unfortunately you have a group of councillors in this council that are totally subordinate to the CEO (Mike Tyler).”
He said officers, not councillors, were directing the future of the city and the memo was just another way they were enforcing their power.
Casey chief executive Mike Tyler said the directive was not about trying to stop councillors from speaking about certain issues.
The purpose of the memo is to advise councillors of their general responsibility,” Mr Tyler said.
“Councillors have a fiduciary duty to protect the council, and certainly to avoid making statements which may unnecessarily expose council to loss even if council is not liable for the loss.”
He said inappropriate comments could confuse an issue and potentially lead to Casey suffering a loss.