Council to have more oversight on Town projects after lowering delegation value to CEO

In a move that will give Port Hedland councillors more oversight on Town projects and funds, the council has elected to lower the delegation value to the chief executive for tenders of goods and services by $250,000. The delegation register stipulates the maximum figure tenders on goods and services can automatically be delegated to the Town’s chief executive to make a decision. At the August council meeting, the council reviewed the register and voted to amend the value from tenders under $1 million to those under $750,000. Cr Jan Gillingham said it was important for the council to have more oversight on how the Town spent its money. “It’s something we enjoy listening to and learning about and exactly how our town would prosper,” she said. Cr Gillingham moved a motion for the delegated value to be lowered by $250,000 as she said it would allow councillors to know more about what was happening in the town. She said with new councillors beginning in October it was a good time to have a ‘fresh start’ on the council’s ability to review tenders. Cr Renae Coles said with new councillors starting in October it was important for them to have as much knowledge on Town projects as possible. Deputy mayor Tim Turner said while he understood the reasons for the change he believed the current amount was working well. “The system is working effectively and is working efficiently,” he said. Mr Turner said dropping the delegated value could extend council meetings considerably given the council had a budget of nearly $100 million. The delegation register value was raised from $500,000 to $1 million when a new council came in in 2020. Ms Gillingham said it had concerned her that the value had not been changed since. She said if the new figure was found to be unsatisfactory it could be changed again in the future. Cr Ash Christensen moved an amendment to change the figure to $750,000 which he said was still a significant change. The motion was carried by the council.