MAYOR SHUTS DOWN ELECTORS CONCERNS

‘Excuse me, excuse me … this is my meeting’ – Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge

ELECTORS say council’s contempt of Fremantle ratepayers was confirmed last night when Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge slapped down a ratepayer for asking questions over the City’s finances and South Beach change rooms.
The exchange available online followed questions by South Fremantle residents Helen Cox and Elizabeth Megrov who told elected members that City staff had edited and left out details in the published minutes of the annual general meeting on February 5 when electors also moved a motion of no confidence in the mayor, as reported by StreetWise at rb.gy/2mdajp.
A total of more than 60 questions covering 12 motions were asked by 10 ratepayers, with officers’ responses published in the minutes of council’s February 28 meeting when councillors carried en bloc 10-0 (item 19) including the recommendation, “that no further action is required in response to the motions”.
During public question time last night, Ms Cox asked the CEO: “Personally, I would like an explanation of why the council in general did not respond to those motions and questions in discussion in council chamber because to me, considering the amount of time and effort that electors put in to present their questions for an annual general meeting, hoping for some action or response that would make a difference to the community in Fremantle. For it to be considered by a number (item 19) without even a reference to the annual general meeting is dismissive and quite frankly disrespectful.”
Ms Cox said many of the questions related to the City’s failing finances, which many people in Fremantle were concerned about: “Why was en bloc used without reference to the annual general meeting and why were they not discussed in chamber?”
Mayor Fitzhardinge said she would take the details of the question on notice, only to prompt Ms Cox to interject.
“Excuse me, excuse me,” Cr Fitzhanding said. “When you’re finished speaking, you will allow me to speak. A decision to move items en bloc is a decision of council, not of the officers and what it says is we can accept the officer’s recommendation in that particular item.
“So that’s our decision as a council, it has nothing to do with the officers and it is completely in accordance with the Act. it doesn’t mean we’re dismissing it, we have read that, we are obliged to read everything before we come in here and we agree with the officers recommendation.
“We have nothing further to add or change, so that’s our decision as council. Thank you.”
Ms Cox would not take no for an answer: “No, it is not all very well to dismiss me, my question was directed to the CEO, not you.”
“This is my meeting,” Cr Fitzhardinge retorted. “If I wish an officer to make comment I will. But I will tell you now than an en bloc decision is not the decision of the CEO or any officer.”
Ms Megrov who also directed her question to the CEO said: “Clearly there are different explanations as to how the local government act is interpreted by you, the acting CEO, the mayor and councillors. Questions and motions presented by electors were recorded and minuted in error and managed with a council officer’s response catchphrase, ‘no further action required’.”
The public slap down is available https://www.youtube.com/@cityoffremantle/streams.