Taken for a ride

By Lia Bichel
THE City of Casey Mayor has hit back at claims councillors have irresponsibly used ratepayers’ money on horse riding lessons for the annual Riding of the Bounds event.
Reports surfaced on the weekend that three councillors had each spent up to $800 of council training funds on the event, which is based on a re-enactment of the traditional Riding of the Bounds event in Berwick upon Tweed in England.
The event has been held for more than 20 years in Casey, but never before have council funds been spent on horse riding lessons for participants.
The three councilors who participated in this year’s event were Cr Amanda Stapledon, Cr Geoff Ablett and Cr Wayne Smith.
Narre Warren North Labor MP Luke Donnellan said local residents were under a lot of pressure from a high rate rise and said they would be shocked by the councillors’ antics.
“They need to pull their belts in and (practice) discretion of expenditure like that,” Mr Donnellan said.
“I haven’t met one resident who believes Riding of the Bounds is an important exercise for council – we are talking about something from 150 years ago. Wacky, wacky, wacky.”
But City of Casey Mayor Cr Shar Balmes said the councillors acted in accordance with legislation and were provided with riding lessons prior to the event, at a total cost of $665 for all three councilors.
“Although councillors are not employees of council, but are more like directors of a board, in mid-2010 the Brumby Government implemented changes to legislation which extended WorkCover to councillors,” Cr Balmes said.
“Accordingly, as with any activity where staff is involved, appropriate training needs to be implemented.
“It is common sense, and accords with normal business practice, to reduce risk by providing those councilors participating in the ride with appropriate training.” Cr Amanda Stapledon echoed the mayor’s comments.
Cr Bob Halsall did not participate in the event, but said he also agreed with the councillors’ actions.
“I would suggest it would be churlish to prevent participation in an event like this because of the cost of appropriate training,” Cr Halsall said.
“I don’t know what it cost for this training, but I am sure it is cheaper than the cost of repatriating an injured participant of this event.
Cr Sam Aziz said he thought the issue was a political one and said it had been blown out of proportion.
“We are obliged to train the councillors, it was a requirement and was something that had to be done,” he said.
“Luke Donnellan should stick to representing Casey residents and not engaging in political mischief.”
Other City of Casey councillors said they did not support using ratepayers’ funds to pay for recreational training.
“I think Riding of the Bounds is a terrific thing for the community, but I wouldn’t support that council funds are used for riding lessons,” Cr Simon Curtis said.
“It’s disappointing.”
Cr Curtis said councillors had a training allowance but there were no strict guidelines on how that allowance could be used.
“It’s something we need to tighten up. I don’t know whether it’s an entitlement but I don’t believe any of these social events should be at the ratepayers’ expense.”
Cr Kevin Bradford said he thought that councillors who were not comfortable enough to ride a horse without training should not have taken part in the event.
“I attended the event in the past and did not have any riding lessons,” he said.
“Cr Ablett surely has enough experience – he wouldn’t have needed training and he probably could have given the other councillors a lesson.”
Cr Keleher said she was not aware of the cost of the event and was concerned about bigger issues in the City of Casey.
“Personally, it would not be a significant concern if we didn’t even have this event,” Cr Keleher said.
“I’m far more concerned about our lack of affordable housing etc.”
Councillors Judy Owen, Geoff Ablett, Beverley Hastie and Wayne Smith did not respond to requests for comment made by the News.