In a letter to Ms Hancock, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Matthew Wales said the Chamber opposed the planned reinstatement of the council in April, under strict financial guidelines.
“We have no confidence that the remaining Councilors are capable of continuing to manage the affairs of council,” the letter said.
“It is clear from the Administrator’s initial review that the Council completely failed to understand or practice sound financial management. Nothing in recent public protestations by the Councilors would indicate that the situation has or could change.
In fact, the scale of mismanagement – whether Councilors claimed to have known or not known of the problem – is so large, in our opinion that the Administration of Council should continue until at least the next Local Government elections in September when a new ‘crop’ of candidates may emerge.”
Mr Wales said the Chamber understood the Minister’s options were limited beyond the initial six month period of administration.
“However, we understand the Minister does have the option of sacking the council and calling for an inquiry into the affairs of the organization and the conduct of the Councilors.”
“The chamber fully supports such an action and request that the Minister gives serious consideration to this option on the basis that the scale and circumstances of the financial mismanagement and unlawful use of Restricted Funds is so large and uncertain that only an inquiry could fully determine how it occured and who is responsible.
“It is our view that the current Councilors are incapable of continuing to manage Council and should not be reinstated, especially when it is clear the wider community do not want them to return.”
He said Peninsula businesses would be hard hit if the rates were raised by a reported 15% and urged council to sell off vacant council owned land instead.
