Administrator

The Minister for Local Government, The Hon Shelley Hancock MP has issued a suspension order, suspending all Councillors and the Mayor, and appointed an independent Administrator as the decision-making body of Council.

On Thursday the 27 May 2021, the Minister of Local Government Shelley Hancock, extended Wingecarribee Shire Council suspension for a further three months. The suspension period will now extend until the 10 September 2021.

The Administrator constitutes the Council and must perform all the functions, powers and duties of the Council.  The Administrator will effectively act as the Mayor and the Councillors.

The Administrator is also responsible for the implementation of the suspension order and any performance improvement order and reports on progress to the Minister for Local Government.

Mr Viv May PSM has been appointed as the Shire’s Administrator.

The Administrator is expected to commit the necessary time to effectively:

• Conduct the relevant council meetings

• Undertake the civic and ceremonial functions of the governing body

The level of remuneration is generally based on the current level of Councillor and Mayoral fees for Wingecarribee Shire Council as set by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal. 

All remuneration and allowances are paid by Wingecarribee Shire Council.

The Administrator will be provided with the office space and other support that was previously provided to the Mayor.

The Administrator will work closely with the General Manager and make all decisions that an elected Council would do. 

The Administrator will consider all staff reports presented to Council and make decisions. The Administrator will also be able to bring matters to Council via Administrator Minutes.

The Administrator is here for residents to contact and engage with. 

The role acts as the Council and undertakes the responsibilities of the Mayor and Councillors representing the interests of residents and our communities. 

If you would like to contact the Administrator, please phone 02 4868 0714 or via email AdministratorOffice@wsc.nsw.gov.au.

Please note that any correspondence marked confidential and addressed to Mr Viv May, Administrator, will only be opened by Mr May and secured to comply with statutory requirements. 

Yes. Under Council’s Code of Meeting Practice, all Council meetings are open to the public and are live-streamed and webcast. Due to the Public Health Orders currently in place, Council Meetings are ticketed to meet social distancing guidelines.

The suspension does not include any staff members of Council. The day-to-day running of Council and delivery of essential services will continue. 

During the suspension period, Councillors are suspended from office and as such are not entitled to exercise the functions of civic office or receive any fee or other remuneration.

Councillors will be required to hand over any Council equipment or resources they have for the period of the suspension.

Councillors who are suspended have the same rights as any other member of the public.

On the expiry of the Ministerial suspension order, the Councillors resume office and the Administrator leaves the position.

Councillors who have resigned cannot resume office within this term.

Three Councillors resigned within the current term including Councillors Markwart in mid-2020, Councillor Halstead on 9 March 2021 and Councillor Turland on 12 March 2021.