08-03-2024
Upper Lachlan Shire Council has condemned union representatives for deliberately causing fear among Council staff and their families by spreading misinformation about a current service review.
Council CEO Alex Waldron said the United Services Union has used four separate members’ meetings to create confusion about the review and mistrust of Council management.
“The USU’s actions are completely unacceptable in spreading false information to cause additional stress for Council staff, all with the aim of increasing its own membership base,” she said.
Ms Waldron reaffirmed the review of Council services is in its early stages, with recommendations to be presented to Councillors at an appropriate time and any decisions made in consultation with councillors.
She also rejected USU claims about outsourcing of Council roles.
“No Council jobs have been lost to outsourcing; the use of contractors has been limited to short-term filling of vital roles that we’ve been unable to fill through recruitment, or to complete grant related/urgent work that we don’t have the capacity to deliver in-house,” she said.
Ms Waldron said the review is a direct result of a decision by Councillors last November not to proceed with an application for a Special Rate Variation (SRV).
“That decision was made in response to strong community concerns about a rate increase. There was a prevailing view that people would rather see Council’s service levels reviewed and internal cost-savings, than pay higher rates,” she said.
The review will establish a complete picture of Council’s operational commitments and financial obligations. Staff will be consulted about potential ways to save money across each Council department.
“The steps we’re taking are responsible, considered and directly in line with the decision of our elected Councillors which was informed by community feedback,” Ms Waldron said.
“It’s unfortunate that those with vested interests are circulating misinformation that’s causing unnecessary concern and confusion.”
An independent analysis last year found Council will not be financially sustainable into the future unless it increases its income or reduces expenses.
“Like councils around Australia, we’re struggling to fund the vast range of services and facilities we provide the community. Maintaining roads and other infrastructure is a huge cost that’s increasing every year, well beyond Council’s budget,” Ms Waldron said.
“As responsible managers we must ensure Council has financial stability. This includes not committing to services and facilities we can’t pay for in the long term.
“We’re committed to working with staff, Councillors and other stakeholders to achieve the best possible result that will ensure a financially stable future for the Council and a sustainable level of services for our community.”
Upper Lachlan Shire Mayor Pam Kensit said Council recognised this is an unsettling time for staff and the community, especially with misinformation surfacing about the process.
“We know potential service cuts are not good news, at a time when people are already feeling the impacts of economic challenges,” she said.
“However, we’ve listened to the community and taken a rate increase off the table. Council management now need to find cost savings in our current operations and planned activities and they should be allowed to carry out that difficult task without personal attack.”
Ms Waldron stressed that abusive and bullying behaviour of USU toward individual Council management and executives who are conducting the review would not be tolerated.
“The health and safety of our staff is paramount and we won’t stand for highly personal criticism or unprofessional behaviour by the USU that has a negative impact on staff at this very challenging time,” she said.