Feel good portfolios?

from THE CHRONICLE, Friday, 27 Jan 2006
Portfolios reinstated
By Sally Evans

PORTFOLIOS have been reinstated in the Rural City of Wangaratta, almost a year since they were axed by the former council.
Seven portfolio fields were appointed to each of the councillors at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Committee positions were also allocated in line with portfolio fields, with most councillors accepting about six committee roles.
Councillor Rozi Parisotto, who was part of the previous council which scrapped portfolios, said it was a proud moment for her to see the system return.
"It's taken 12 months for this council to do a 360 turn around," she said.
"I congratulate this council for using a commonsense approach to bring back portfolios, giving the community a direct link with their council and not having wards make portfolios even more important.
"They have been very effective in the past, they have allowed councillors to strengthen their skills, see projects completed and I think that's part of the wonderful approach of having portfolios."
Councillor Roberto Paino also supported the motion and was particularly in favor of the portfolios being set for only 12 months.
"One of the key things about the new structure is they will be reviewed annually," he said.
"It gives the opportunity for all councillors to have a change during the term of council and perhaps have a look at something else."
Portfolios were axed through a controversial move by council in February last year.
The authority instead voted to appoint councillors to specific committees in a bid to distribute work more equitably.
The decision sparked a protest by three councillors, including Cr Parisotto, who refused to take on committee roles.

RURAL CITY OF WANGARATTA PORTFOLIOS FOR 2005/06
Corporate governance - Mayor Don Joyce
Assets and infrastructure - Cr Justin Scholz
Environment services and land management - Cr Neville Wright
Arts and culture - Cr Rozi Parisotto
Tourism and economic development - Cr Bernard Young
Sport and recreation - Cr Roberto Paino

Greg's comment:

Whilst it is good to see that the new council has reinstated portfolios, the comments of Cr Parisotto and Cr Paino appear to be rather self serving.

The idea of portfolios 'allowing councillors to strengthen their skills' and 'giving the opportunity for all councillors to have a change during the term of council and perhaps have a look at something else' may not be very well accepted by the ratepayers.

This should not be about councillors - it should be about better representation of those who elected them.

I would have thought portfolios was about improving the lines of communication betweeen ratepayers, the municipality and the state authorities to achieve more positive outcomes for everyone.