AS the cold winds of Raby Bay blow across Cleveland, a new storm brews within the halls of local governance.
The proposed revamp of Redland City Council’s councillor portfolio structure, put forward by Deputy Mayor Julie Talty, has stirred more than just a conversation; it has ignited a firestorm.
Like the great power plays of Game of Thrones’ Westeros, the motion to create a new Councillor Representative Portfolio Structure presents itself as a solution – an offering meant to streamline the flow of communication.
Behind the scenes, cracks in the foundation of the Council chamber floor have begun to widen.
The new portfolios, which Cr Talty insists will be tools of advocacy rather than power, have drawn a line in the red soil.
At the heart of this conflict sits the Iron Throne of Redland – the office of Mayor, currently held by Jos Mitchell.
Cr Talty’s proposal includes a notable omission – the absence of any portfolio for the Mayor.
The inclusion of a note explaining why the Mayor would not have a portfolio was suggested by councillors to reassure the community that the Mayor is involved in all aspects of council service delivery as it is inherent in her role that she be briefed and has access to all information required to do her job.
These roles are extra to the normal councillor duties.
Of the 12 member councils in the Council of Mayors, eight operate with some sort of portfolio or committee system, so there is nothing unusual in giving councillors extra duties.
However, in the eyes of Mayor Mitchell, the omission of her position from the portfolio structure is a deliberate attempt to diminish her authority.
Her weekend social media outburst echoed the cries of a monarch betrayed.
“I have not been consulted nor had input towards this major proposed restructuring,” the Mayor chimed, sparking a spirited social media backlash.
But is that really true?
Wasn’t she at the workshop when this matter was first discussed last April? It has been discussed formally and informally since that time and workshopped in November.
For a mayor who likes to tell us she has her finger on the Redlands pulse, are we to believe that the first she learnt of this proposal was through the media on Friday?
If she didn’t know about this, why not?
Like any great saga, this conflict is not a case of “good versus evil”.
On one side, we have the so called “House of Six” comprising Cr Talty, Rowanne McKenzie, Shane Rendalls, Tracey Huges, Peter Mitchell and Jason Colley, all united in their vision for a more streamlined and efficient council.
The “House of Jos” commands the loyalty of a select few: Mayor Mitchell herself, Wendy Boglary, and Lance Hewlett, plus the hard-won respect of the public who backed the new mayor with 67 per cent of the vote.
For her band of loyal subjects, the Mayor’s voice must remain the strongest, her authority unchallenged.
Meanwhile, the “House of Redland”, led by Captain Paul Golle – who wanted the prized portfolio of pests, mozzies and fire ants – and Paul Bishop, who wanted none, remain quiet observers.
The question remains: Who will emerge victorious in this game of governance?
Like any good tale, the outcome is uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that Redland City Council and its 166,000 residents stands at a crossroads.
The question now is whether this proposal will end in peace – or whether it will fracture the city’s leadership irreparably, setting the stage for future wars to come.
