NEWS DESK
Mayor’s ‘fake news’ column faced complaint Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au A CONTENTIOUS column by Frankston mayor Cr Colin Hampton in which the mayor blasted “local” media coverage of council matters led to a now-withdrawn complaint from a councillor. North-West Ward councillor Kris Bolam lodged a formal complaint with council CEO Dennis Hovenden about the mayoral column published in council’s Frankston City News quarterly (“Mayor hits out at ‘fake news’”, The Times 26/2/18) since he said the column was inconsistent with council policy and “is potentially damaging relations with the press”.
A mediation meeting was attended by both the mayor and Cr Bolam and it was agreed the mayor would bring any future “contentious” statements made as council’s official spokesperson to fellow councillors’ attention before publication. The column is available to be read by councillors before publication but is generally not flagged to councillors. An unrepentant Cr Hampton said he had no regrets about penning the column when contacted by The Times in the wake of the mediation meeting. “There’s nothing at all wrong with what was written. It’s fact,” he said. “I don’t think it did anything against having improved relations with the media.
“All I was doing was reporting the facts.” The mayor noted he had complained to the Australian Press Council about “biased” news in the Frankston Standard Leader newspaper and the News Corp publication had twice been ordered to publish the Press Council’s rulings “to correct the record”. Cr Bolam said he had made the complaint since he believed the mayor had gone “beyond his remit” in slamming the local media. “Freedom of information and the impartiality of the press is something that should absolutely be celebrated rather than execrated,” he said. Cr Bolam said he had withdrawn the complaint after the mayor agreed to flag any future contentious com-
ments in future mayoral columns in the Frankston City News. Cr Bolam said the mayor had also agreed to make it clear any such mayoral statement would make it clear it was Cr Hampton’s opinion or point of view rather than an official council policy. The next stage of the complaint would have cost ratepayers money to pursue. “I have no interest in having monies and resources utilised on legal advice and arbitration so I ultimately decided to withdraw the complaint on the basis that Cr Hampton had made a number of concessions,” Cr Bolam said. In June last year, a 5-3 majority of councillors voted to change Frankston Council’s communications
policy to encourage staff “to create, and maintain, positive working relationships with local media outlets”. The mayor and CEO have now started hosting meetings with the local press to answer questions each month after monthly council meetings. The first of the monthly meetings was held on 9 April and also attended by several council managers and officers. Cr Hampton ordered Cr Bolam from the 3 April public council meeting after a disagreement over comments the mayor made about councillors lodging notices of motion (See “Councillor kicked out of meeting”, page 4).
CEO knocks back pay hike
Flinders swimmers pip Padua AFTER playing catch up to Padua Secondary College at the Southern Independent Schools swimming carnivals for the past 28 years, Flinders Christian College finally emerged victorious in Division A last week. “It was a fantastic achievement and our swimming squad has worked so hard for this great achievement,” marketing head Monica Wulff said.
Placings and overall points were: Flinders 739.5, Padua 714, St Francis Xavier 610, Woodleigh 568.5, Cornish 533 and Berwick 251. Flinders College staff and coaches couldn’t hide their excitement at the win, jumping and cartwheeling into the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre pool – and spreading their excitement to the students. Picture: Supplied
FRANKSTON Council’s highest-paid employee has turned down a pay rise. Councillors conducted council CEO Dennis Hovenden’s annual performance review last month and collectively decided his performance as “satisfactory” according to the minutes of the 3 April council meeting. The minutes also revealed Mr Hovenden decided not to accept a proposed 2 per cent increase on his $325,000 annual remuneration including pre-tax payments on a vehicle. “I have decided not to accepted a proposed increase to my remuneration as chief executive officer of Frankston City Council,” Mr Hovenden said in a statement. “I have made this decision in fairness to the council and ratepayers, as I believe I am adequately remunerated for my role.” The mayor Cr Colin Hampton said: “As CEO, Mr Hovenden is responsible for managing over 1000 staff and an operating budget of over $145 million which delivers the many services, infrastructure and facilities expected by our community. “Mr Hovenden is a huge asset to Frankston City and has worked tirelessly during his six years here to deliver the best possible outcomes for residents, businesses and visitors. “I thank him for his positive contributions to the local community and look forward to his ongoing leadership. “When benchmarking Mr Hovenden’s remuneration to that of other Victorian Council’s, this amount is considerably lower than his peers. His decision to not accept an increase is again a testament to his commitment to his job and the local community.”
Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden
Mr Hovenden said he “will continue to work hard in achieving the best possible outcomes for council on behalf of the Frankston City community.” The CEO’s current four-year contract expires in October 2019. Neighbouring Kingston Council CEO John Nevins received a 1.5 per cent pay rise last month after an annual performance review, taking his remuneration to $382,270 annually. In Frankston, Mr Hovenden and then mayor Cr Brian Cunial named themselves as complainants about “governance concerns” to the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate when it was announced by the Labor state government the inspectorate had recommended a monitor be appointed at Frankston Council. Neil Walker
Mount Erin College
OPEN NIGHT Tuesday 1st May 2018 5pm – 7pm Tours will be held at 5.00pm or 5.45pm Bookings can be made via the website or office
5971 6000 Robinsons Road, Frankston South VIC 3199
T: 5971 6000 | F: 5971 1421 | E mount.erin.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
Robinsons Road, Frankston South VIC 3199 T: 5971 6000 | F: 5971 1421 E mount.erin.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.mounterin.vic.edu.au Frankston Times
23 April 2018
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