The recent appointment of citizen members to the Shoalhaven Council Finance Committee has raised some important questions about transparency and openness. A promise the mayor made in her election material.

Mayor Patricia White informed the Council that instead of seeking expressions of interest from qualified individuals in the city, she would take on the responsibility of appointing the Committee members herself.

While she did proceed to appoint five members, some Council members expressed that this approach may not present the best image for the Council.

A press release from Mayor White announced the finalization of the Finance Review Committee, stating,

“I’m pleased to announce the finalization of our Finance Review Committee. The community members were carefully selected due to their demonstrated financial experience and acumen, and I am confident they will do an outstanding job in assisting the organization to get its budget back in the black.”

It is worth noting that these five esteemed individuals have been actively engaged with the Community Consultative Committee for the past nine months and are known to each other and have indicated similar assessments of the situation. Part of the group presented to the previous Council and have held discussions with the mayor.

However, it appears that the mayor’s selection process may not have been wholly transparent.

One of the appointed members is known to have publicly supported Mayor White during her campaign, which has prompted some discussion within the local Community Consultative Body (CCB). Of course, the member is free to support anyone he wishes.

While there’s little doubt that the appointed members possess good intentions and skills, the concern lies with the way they were appointed.

The mayor’s previously disclosed press release outlined that the selection was based on interviews, assessments of qualifications, and consultations with the community prior to appointing the successful candidates.

However, some questions remain about the specifics of this process.

For instance, how were members chosen for interview, and what kind of consultation did the mayor conduct with the community? There appears to be a lack of clarity around who was involved, when these discussions occurred, and how they were carried out.

Establishing a finance committee is undoubtedly a positive step, and the enthusiasm of the members to contribute to the City is commendable.

Still, it's essential that the processes remain transparent to foster confidence among the community in the actions of the Council.

Clear communication regarding the appointment process could go a long way in building trust and ensuring that everyone has confidence in these important decisions.

 Let’s work together to ensure that all the facts are brought to light!