City of Bunbury rejects second cost-cutting investigation due to time constraints with 30-day deadline

A Bunbury councillor’s request for an immediate cost-reduction investigation has been shot down amid claims it would put “unnecessary” stress on its financial team during the end of the financial year. During the City of Bunbury’s meeting last Tuesday night, Cr Gabi Ghasseb requested chief executive Alan Ferris do a cost reduction investigation and bring back findings to the council within 30 days, before the annual budget is passed. Cr Ghasseb said the level of urgency was needed as he saw the need to figure out how to help residents during the cold winter. “Somebody asked me, am I enjoying council, and I responded that it’s quite a hard job,” he said. “I’m thinking in terms of an elderly widow living in Withers, possibly not being able to afford heating . . . to me this is a conscience vote, I won’t be trying to twist any arms here. “We have to do the best we can as soon as we can . . . if there’s any room for cost-cutting we should do it as soon as we can.” Cr Cheryl Kozisek spoke against the move, mentioning that a cost-cutting report is already being undertaken and requesting another one in such a short time frame would put unnecessary pressure on staff. “I don’t disagree with Cr Ghasseb’s sentiments . . . but I do think we need to refer back to workshops where our CEO has provided information on many areas he is going to be looking at on cost reductions,” she said. “We’ve talked about this on many, many occasions . . . I feel to move this motion would put a burden on our staff during a very busy time of year. “Honestly, if Cr Ghasseb is so concerned about cost reductions, perhaps he could refrain from submitting many and often unreasonable and time-consuming requests to the staff for information that is often, in most cases, already relayed to council staff.” The move was shot down 8-1, with Cr Ghasseb the only person voting in favour. Cr Todd Brown and Cr Marina Quain were both absent from the meeting.