MAYOR Geoff Kettle says he has directed general manager Chris Berry to implement all of the recommendations outlined in the Division of Local Government report.
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Cr Kettle himself referred the matter to the department.
He told the Post on Friday that the complainant “wasn’t satisfied” with an initial response to calls for an investigation by Mr Berry.
“I introduced the complainant to the department and they undertook an investigation that lasted many months,” Cr Kettle said.
The report confirms this.
“In late December 2012 the Division received representations from Council’s Mayor who, in turn, had received correspondence from a tenderer who had raised concerns regarding Council’s processes,” the report stated in its ‘background’ section.
“The Mayor and the complainant met with staff of the Division and outlined their concerns.
“The Mayor was concerned that councillors had not been made aware of any issues when they determined to award the tender.”
This section of the report also revealed that Council did not supply all documents during an initial visit by the officer of the Division.
However, “Council may have misinterpreted the request for access”.
Cr Kettle on Friday said: “The Division’s report highlights shortcomings in the council’s tendering process, an issue that was raised by the complainant in the first place.”
“I’ve read the report and we will implement its recommendations.
There is a need to tighten and streamline our processes.”
The recommendations are: 1. It is recommended that all council staff, including all senior staff, involved in and/or overseeing tendering processes of Council undertake training on tendering processes. Such training should address the requirements of the Act, the Regulations and the Division’s Tendering Guidelines.
Additionally, such training should address corruption risks, requirements under the code of conduct and ethical decision making.
2. It is recommended that Council subscribes to the LGMA tendering toolbox and that it makes the toolbox available to all staff exercising a tendering function.
3. As recommended by the Promoting Better Practice report of October 2009, Council should immediately prepare and formalise a set of tendering guidelines to assist staff when processing tenders.
Council is required to report back to the Division on the implementation of these recommendations within 6 months of the date of this report being provided to the Council.
