The Shared Services Program was subsequently adopted by Council and continued to be developed at a high level between the 4 Gippsland Councils, Bass Coast, East Gippsland, Wellington, and South Gippsland.
The indicator contained in the Council Plan and reported on was “Continue involvement in the Gippsland Local Government Network Shared Services Project”. During the period after the Administrators took over from the dismissed Councillors in June 2019, Council decided to end the Shared Services Project. This decision was minuted in the May 2020 Council meeting minutes but other than that, the public and press were not informed of this huge decision until this newspaper discovered the facts and published the story. 

The Annual Report makes claim that the initiative was “Achieved” when in fact it was cancelled. Misleading at best and no discussion ensued in the report on the ramifications of losing $2-3 Million of annual efficiencies savings. The report did say Council resolved to withdraw from the program on the basis of financial and risk considerations. Who knows what they could be against saving $2-3 Million annually?

The second major initiative was on the development of a Shire wide 10-year community vision plan. 

This was to develop and commence implementation of a 10+ year community vision by instigating a significant community consultation project. The scope and progress to be defined and reported to Council in the 2019-2020 year. Again, the claim was made that the target was achieved when in fact, Council decided to delay the project until after the next Council elections. Target Achieved-No, Target Delayed-Yes.