Move on

By Jim Mynard
MAYFIELD Ward councillor Steve Beardon has failed in an attempt to change a Casey council policy that automatically makes the retiring mayor deputy mayor.
Cr Beardon said the “old boys” club protocol should be abandoned.
He said each councillor should be afforded the chance to stand for the position of deputy on his or her merits.
“Ten councillors are excluded from standing for the position under the present policy,” he said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson said there should be a natural progression from deputy mayor to mayor.
Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton said the motion for change was not necessary because under the present regulations anyone could stand for the position.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said it made sense to have a deputy mayor who had experience to fill in for the mayor at short notice.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said he had been deputy mayor and found that he was at times called on without much warning to deliver a speech.
“You need the experience,” he said.