The Shire of York's local government council have been suspended and replaced with a commissioner for six months.
The takeover, which was effective as of midnight last night, was in response to concerns over the Shire of York’s ability to provide good governance and was announced by Minister for Local Government Tony Simpson yesterday.
The action followed a show cause notice which was issued on November 20, asking why the Shire should not be suspended. Under the Local Government Act 1995, the shire had 21 days to respond.
Mr Simpson said the response from the Shire of York was not satisfactory in changing his mind about the suspension.
“Nothing submitted to me by the Shire of York has changed my mind about the need for the council to be suspended and a commissioner appointed, so that’s what I have done," he said.
“I have formed the view that there is sufficient evidence that it is inappropriate for the Shire of York’s council to continue without intervention”.
Commissioner James Best, who will be overseeing the shire, has 25 years’ experience as a business consultant.
The Commissioner is also the former Mayor of South Perth and was executive director of the Karratha and Districts Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Department of Local Government and Communities began to monitor the situation with the shire in September 2014
“During the monitoring period, a significant number of issues emerged, giving rise to concerns about the councils ability to effectively manage the operations of the Shire and to provide good governance for the people in its district” Minister for Local Government Tony Simpson said.
During the suspension period it is the Ministers intention that council members be provided training in leadership, governance, and meeting procedures.
