WHITTLESEA: Extra meeting draws criticism
An extra meeting of Whittlesea Council is due to be held on Tuesday October 14, just prior to the expected return of suspended Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon.
The meeting, being held in addition to the regular meeting on October 21, is expected to include a resolution by Councillors of a new contract for Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd.
Council Watch Victoria Inc. is highly critical of the extra meeting and its timing: “Council has quietly slipped in an extra meeting for October14 – just three days before Cr McLindon returns from suspension.
“Why not wait until after? Oh no, it gets juicier … On the secretive agenda:
• CEO’s contract renewal – in confidential business, of course.
• Proposed Hindu Temple – guaranteed to spark huge community interest.
“But who actually decided to move these items off the “too big” October 21 agenda?
“The CEO? Nope – he’s on leave.
“The Mayor (Cr Martin Taylor)? He told us it’s not him.
“That leaves… Acting CEO Deb Wood – who just happens to report directly to the same CEO, Craig Lloyd, whose contract is up.”
The agenda for the October 14 meeting had not been published when this issue of The Local Paper went to press.
Council Watch Victoria Inc. has previously claimed that the inquiry into Cr McLindon’s behaviour, and subsequent suspension from the Council, has cost $2 million.
In its social media posts, Council Watch Victoria has not published any evidence to substantiate the claim.