An attempt by Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma to have an executive summary of forensic audit report into Council’s last five years released in just a couple of weeks failed to gain majority support at the June Council meeting.

Only she, Councillor Larkins and Mayor Reilly voted for the motion.

“The call for transparency fell on deaf ears. The community is calling for transparency. The community is calling for the books to be released. They want answers, and rightfully so,’ says Cllr Draisma.

‘They also voted against a new era of clarity that the community deserves. Some of those councillors have presided over years of questionable financial management.

‘I thank Councillor Larkins for supporting my motion: we as newly elected Councillors face a difficult challenge – but we have nothing to hide.’

The councillors are all in possession of the private report, which Council says is being kept confidential for the time being on legal advice.

A previous meeting of Council committed to having an executive summary prepared, but without a specific timeframe.

The whole of the Forensic Accounting Assessment Report, prepared by consultants Forsyth’s, is due to be released in 2023/4, again subject to legal advice.