Cr Whelan returned as Bass Coast Mayor

'Still unfinished business' says Cr Whelan

CR MICHAEL Whelan has been returned as Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council for another 12 months.

Alongside him will be Cr Rochelle Halstead who was appointed to take over the role vacated by Cr Leticia Laing.

In a statement this week, Cr Laing said she had enjoyed the role of Deputy Mayor over the past 12 months but would now be addressing other priorities including her studies.

Both Cr Whelan and Cr Halstead were elected unopposed for the roles.

Cr Whelan, who was nominated and seconded by Cr Clare Le Serve and Cr David Rooks respectively, thanked council for its vote of confidence and said there was still plenty of “unfinished business” with which he would like to continue.

“It was a very busy year last year and we've still got plenty of unfinished business to attend to, particularly around the advocacy that we need to pursue and pursued vigorously,” said Cr Whelan.

“We are still getting trickles of interest from government but we need to pursue that quite strongly in the near future.

“I will do a report in relation to the last year to the camera, and that'll go up on our webpage, probably tomorrow.

“In the meantime, I'd like to thank Councillor Laing for her work as Deputy Mayor through the year and acknowledge her hard work and also her extracurricular achievements, or perhaps that's not the right term, but in any event, the work that she's done on her studies and how well she's done there.

“And of course, I've encouraged her to pursue that, and indeed, she intends to do that and has made a separate statement in that regard, and I wish her well in that regard and also express my great confidence that Cr Laing will continue to make a strong contribution.”

Cr Clare Le Serve took the opportunity to congratulate Cr Whelan on the extension of his role as Mayor, acknowledging his hard work and the “professional manner and integrity” with which he discharged his responsibilities.

Only one nomination was received for the position of Deputy Mayor, from Cr Rochelle Holstead.

Cr Le Serve also congratulated Cr Halstead for her election to the role and thanked Cr Laing for her efforts.

Cr Halstead was appreciative of council’s support.

“This is a pretty exciting day for me and I look forward to serving the community in this role.”

She thanked Cr Whelan and Cr Laing for their work during the past year.

Cr Whelan said he looked forward to working with Cr Halstead over the coming year, on both the long list of goals and projects, but also on the work that was yet to present itself.

Cr Laing issued the following statement:

“Being the Deputy Mayor for the Bass Coast Shire has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and it has been a true privilege to be able to represent my community in this capacity.

“Although I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has encouraged me to put up my hand for a greater leadership role in council for the upcoming year, I am prioritising my education as I go on to start a Diploma of Legal Practice.

“This will allow me to be a practicing solicitor thereby better equipped to serve the community.

“Council mayoral roles require a lot of dedication from those chosen. It is something I would love to pursue in coming years but next year, I need to focus on my full time studies.

“It has made me realise even more how many brilliant, passionate and hard-working people we have in this shire who work tirelessly to make this a better place to live and enjoy.

“It has allowed me to become more aware of what drives our community, what holds us back and where our community needs more help.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my supporting role to Mayor Michael Whelan to whom I am grateful for his advice, support and leadership.

“Having Cr Rochelle Halstead as the deputy mayor will be an asset to the community and I wish her all the best in her role as well as to the Mayor.

“The time commitments for a councillor are less onerous than that for mayor or deputy and I will continue to serve on the four committees that I have been on for the past two years which includes a non-executive board director role overseeing our four – soon to be five – community libraries and those of three other councils.

“The only committee I will be stepping away from is the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee where I was a sub-chair.”

Cr Laing made no mention of the reporting of her allocations under councillor allowance process as a reason for stepping down, although Cr Le Serve raised the issue during the appointment of councillors to committees.

Cr Le Serve said councillors should not be criticised for using councillors’ allowances when discharging their duties, especially under their various committee appointments, particularly child care subsidies, which Cr Laing has previously claimed being criticised over in the local  media, although no examples of that alleged criticism has been quoted.

Cr Les Larke claimed a conflict of interest prior to the appointment of mayor and absented himself from the council chamber during the appointment of mayor. No explanation was provided.