To have or have not a deputy mayor

SINCE the decision was made last November by Golden Plains Shire councillors not to elect a deputy-mayor, debate has continued as to whether one is necessary.

Current mayor, Cr Brett Cunningham voted in favour of retaining the position and said this week that while January is a quiet time, there were occasions last year where he had a clash of events.

“When you get on council you get elected to internal committees and external boards,” he said.

“Last year on a few occasions there was a clash of a meeting with a politician, or you get invites for the same date or time so in that case I was able to ask deputy-mayor Gavin Gamble to step up.”

However, Cr Cunningham said now the decision has been made not to have a deputy mayor, he will embrace it.

“Once the vote is made by the group of councillors you accept and you follow the outcome of the vote,” he said.

“It does come at a saving of about $20,000.

“I think all councils are going to have a tough couple of financial years so there’s a saving there.”

The issue of whether a deputy-mayor is needed was highlighted recently with Cr Cunningham while Cr Cunningham was away on a cruise.

Due to the timing of the trip, he was not required to take a leave of absence and previous mayor Cr Gamble would have had to fulfill duties if there was an emergency.

Cr Gamble, who was also the last deputy-mayor and stood again for the position in November, agreed with Cr Cunningham and said the role is important for covering the expansive Shire.

“Mayor Cunningham and I worked together as a leadership team to provide best coverage and attendance possible over the whole Shire, representing the council,” he said.

“While I accept the council group voted four to three not to have a deputy mayor for this term, I argued at the election time that having a deputy-mayor is especially appropriate for Golden Plains Shire, in my opinion, because our Shire is fundamentally different from other rural ones.

“Golden Plains Shire is peri-urban on two fronts.”

Cr Owen Sharkey led the movemto scrap the deputy position that saw Crs Clayton Whitfield, Les Rowe and Ian Getsom join him in voting against offering the role.

Cr Sharkey served as mayor when the deputy position was unpaid and said he volunteered to do fulfill the role unpaid in 2022/23, but other councillors chose to elect Cr Gamble to a paid role instead.

“I think it is handy having a nominated deputy but when I was mayor, we did have a deputy, I brought about the deputy role, but it was tokenistic and it didn’t cost ratepayers an odd $20,000 a year,” he said.

“That was my main thing, I couldn’t justify the costs of it and I’m sure with what happened last week there are policies which need changing.

“If there was better communication or policies changed, we don’t need it.”