Nothing dodgy: Smith

By Jim Mynard
RIVER Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith has accused two fellow councillors of suggesting that the City of Casey books were dodgy.
Cr Smith said Mayfield Ward councillor Steve Beardon and Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson had often asked to have the council books checked.
Cr Smith’s comment came after notices of motions were put before the 4 July council meeting.
Cr Beardon asked that operating budget figures be presented in detail with quarterly reports and put on public display. He also asked that quarterly preparation budget meetings be instigated to review and prepare operating and capital works program budgets for the following year. Cr Richardson asked that the council provide public access and viewing of the monthly expenditure of councillors’ mobile and landline telephone accounts.
Cr Richardson’s motion lapsed for want of a seconder.
Cr Smith said the repeated requests were implying something was dodgy. “These figures are available anyway,” he said.
Casey corporate services director Steve Dalton said he believed the requests were for specific line items, but many were confidential.
Cr Smith said he did not want the information. “This would be a waste of time and paper. Every time they bring this up it is a further slur on the council,” he said.
Cr Smith said the councillors would be given the figures if they asked Mr Dalton.
“If they get the details and find something wrong then they can come to us,” he said.
Cr Beardon said he was not prepared to do the job of 11 councillors. “I come from a managerial background and I have my own business. I have learned not to trust anyone else with my money.”
Cr Smith said: “We have senior officers to look after these matters and we also have a team of officers to do this work.
“It is unfair and unrealistic for councillors to be asked to review these figures each month.”