Mayor Duncan Gair revealed that he had called for an investigation in the Wingecarribee Shire Council at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on August 24.
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The mayor said he had been in correspondence with the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Shelley Hancock since March to share his concerns.
Cr Gair said he would not make the contents of the letter available as it was addressed to the Hon Shelley Hancock.
"It will be up to her if she wishes to release it as correspondence as she wishes," he said.
"I started correspondence back in March and as such, I was requesting an investigation into the council and the minister has viewed the requests and has come back with this recommendation which I support.
"It depends on how council treats the seriousness of the situation as to what further action the minister may, or can take.
"It is a start and hopefully with the advisers' help and support by councillors we can resume council and have a much better reputation in the community.
"I won't comment any further, other than what's on the agenda today."
On August 19 the minister issued a Notice of Intention to issue a Performance Improvement Order (PIO).
The Southern Highland News contacted the Office of Local Government with a series of questions in regards to the content of the correspondence with the mayor, if there was an investigation into Wingecarribee Shire Council and a PIO timeline.
A spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said they regularly liaised with mayors and general managers in their council regulatory, monitoring and support activities.
"The minister has received the council's submission in response to the Notice of Intention to issue a Performance Improvement Order (PIO)," they said.
"Under the Local Government Act, the minister is required to consider the submission before making a final decision on whether to issue the council with a PIO.
"There is no statutory timeframe for the minister to make a decision."
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Vera Demertzis
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
Journalist at the Southern Highland News covering council yarns and community news. Got a tip or a story to tell? Email vera.demertzis@southernhighlandnews.com.au or call on 0427 250 908.
