CITY of Vincent Mayor John Carey was forced to defend the council’s integrity over claims it pandered to officers’ recommendations.
Residents raised concerns at the May 24 council briefing session regarding the council’s decision-making process over an application for a café in Mt Hawthorn to accommodate up to 40 customers.
Resident Narelle O’Neill said at the May 31 council meeting the issue had “severely eroded trust in the decision making process”.
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READ NOWMr Carey would not have a bar of it.
“I heard last week comments were made on our process that were untoward,” he said.
“We conduct ourselves with the highest level of integrity; we vote freely on issues, the council does not blindly accept the officers’ recommendations.”
He went on to list recent examples where the council went against officers’ advice.
Councillor Roslyn Harley also addressed the concerns.
“We do not sit here as a rubber stamp for the officers,” she said.
Councillors voted down the application for the proposed café at 2 Coogee Street, Mt Hawthorn to accommodate a maximum of 40 patrons.