Some managers also linked their council credit cards to their personal PayPal account.
On one occasion a staff member used council funds to purchase an $89 lobster dinner. The review also questioned the policy around ratepayer funded dinners after Council meetings and end-of-year functions.Īuditors noted there appeared to be no current limit on this kind of spending.
Staff were also given $355 in supermarket gift vouchers on Melbourne Cup Day.Īn audit reveals senior Wingecarribee Shire Council staff spent thousands of dollars a month. One staff member was bought a $1000 Bunnings Warehouse gift card as a retirement present. Ratepayer funds were used to regularly buy flowers and fruit boxes for unnamed council employees. This included almost $3,000 spent at various accommodation providers for "accommodation industry familiarisation", where the recipients were not named.Ĭatering for staff events was also highlighted, including 27 purchases from a local bakery for "industry meetings" with no named attendees. The report identified some transactions which could be considered accepted business practice, but appeared non-compliant or lacked transparent explanation. The auditors claimed under the guidelines, staff were unable to use council funds on anything that could be construed as "benefits to staff" which included birthday and Christmas parties, staff rewards and offsite staff meetings. Under procurement policies and guidelines adopted by Wingecarribee Shire Council, the use of the credit cards is for purchases relating to "official council business". Hundreds of dollars were also spent on wine and bottle shop gift cards for managers. One manager used their card to pay a $264 parking fine and top up their E-tag by $480. This included more than $900 in Christmas lunches for senior and executive staff. The credit card audit revealed senior staff had made dozens of purchases which appeared non-compliant with policy. ( ABC News: Bellinda Kontominas) Wine, hotels and a lobster dinner Mayor Duncan Gair and the rest of Wingecarribee Shire Council have been suspended since March. "Accordingly, I give notice to the community that it is my intention in the final report to recommend for the Minister's consideration that a public inquiry … be held." "The law is the law, but in my view the return of the suspended council is untenable," Mr May said. Mr May said this would be ill-advised and in light of his findings there needed to be an independent investigation into the reports. Local Government elections had been delayed until December, and it was uncertain whether the suspended councillors would return to office in September, when their suspension was due to expire. financial management and its responsibilities in relation to integrated planning and reporting." "The former council has failed the community it was meant to serve in the exercise of its functions, provision of core services. Mr May said the evidence clearly indicated that council had let the community down. The credit cards were also used to make multiple wine purchases, pay for staff meals and accommodation - without adequate accountability.Īuditor Robert Finch said his team "noted shortfalls in relation to policy compliance and transparent explanations for expenditure on the part of some managers".Ī review of Council's handling of the Black Summer bushfires was also tabled, revealing significant shortcomings in its response to the crisis. The audit revealed between April 2019 and May 2021 senior staff spent an average of $22,000 a month on the payment cards, mostly at Bunnings Warehouse, Woolworths and Officeworks.
#HANCOCK IVIEW AUDITOR SERIES#
Wingecarribee Councillors have been suspended since March due to serious concerns about Council's ability to function effectively and a breakdown in relationships between senior staff.Īt an extraordinary council meeting last night interim administrator Viv May tabled a series of damning reports, including a review of the use of council credit cards.
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