CALL FOR OPENNESS IN COUNCIL
This is the first in a series of brief articles from one of our ward representatives. We will be inviting other councillors to contribute to future issues.

I was first elected to council (then Pakenham) in March 1987, one of three representing Pakenham township. The Shire population was 24,500, and we had twelve councillors. The council consisted of four ridings (wards) and elections were held every year for one third of the councillors - i.e. one councillor per riding in rotation, allowing some consistency of experience to remain at the council table.

Councillors made all decisions other than administrative and very little power was delegated to council staff. Councillors were involved in all aspects of local government and were held accountable by the community they served.

The council had four standing committees, Policy and Resources, Community Services, Planning and Regulations, and Accounts

Supervisory. Elected councillors chaired all meetings which were open to residents and ratepayers, who were welcome to stay for afternoon tea and mix with the councillors.

After one year the chairman of the Planning Committee would become Shire President, following a rotation system and seniority within the riding.

I strongly believe in advocacy of community values - values that have and are continuing to fall victim to council's striving hastily to change the very face and landscape of this once beautiful shire. The council desperately needs to regroup and focus on steady planned progress, not by developers, but by council with the assistance and involvement of our community.

Only when the Cardinia Shire Council operates in an open and consultative style will we have true democracy at the local level once again.

Bill Ronald
Pakenham Ward