Prudence has a specific set of meanings denoting caution and wisdom in the use and dispensation of resources.
Aware ratepayers were alarmed at the speed, lack of transparency and generosity with their assets that characterised the Council's 'response' to UTas proposal to 'move' to Inveresk.
Regardless of the merits, or otherwise, of the UTas case ratepayers have a right to expect their Council to behave with prudence with ratepayer resources because the Council's motto is "progress with prudence". Instead Council has chosen to gift valuable land to UTas without testing the market and without negotiating a reasonable consideration for the resources in question.
Rather than engage with concerned community members, Council has shown its committment to good governance principles by abandoning them and decrying ratepayer objections, without answering their concerns.
No evidence has been presented as to why land should be gifted to UTas in the first instance, instead Council has again attempted to dismiss ratepayer concerns using the flawed 'noisy minority' arguement.
It's time the Council demonstrated the level of professionalism and prudence required of an organisation that expends $100 million of public monies each year.
Given the amateurism of the elected aldermen, ratepayers protection falls to the General Manager's competence and probity therefore Council should reveal and promote Mr. Dobrzynski's qualifications for the role which ratepayers are required to pay around $300,000 p.a.
Given the levels of secrecy in Council and their flagrant violation of the principles of good governance, I'd say they have a tidey problem.
Kendall Wyatt
Organisational consultant
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