LIBERAL MP Nick Goiran has criticised Cockburn CEO Stephen Cain for taking political action without sanction from the elected council.

The south metropolitan MLC’s criticism follows his receipt of a letter from Mr Cain, informing him the City of Cockburn is supporting the City of Subiaco in its fight against the proposed City of Perth Act.

The Act will allow the City of Perth to expand its boundaries, gobbling up territory and 3000 lucrative ratepayers currently in Subiaco.

Mr Goiran, a Southern River-based conservative powerbroker in the WA Liberal Party, was surprised to receive the letter, as the issue has nothing to do with Cockburn.

“As it is uncommon for me to receive correspondence from a local government within my region advocating on a piece of legislation that has no impact on its ratepayers, it would assist me if you could provide me a copy of the minutes of the council meeting at which the city’s councillors resolved that the matters concerning the city of Subiaco should become a concern to the city of Cockburn,” he replied to Mr Cain.

It transpired no such minutes existed, because no such resolution was made.

City officers say elected members had been consulted before the letter was sent but there hadn’t been time to wait for a formal meeting of the council.

The City of Subiaco had also canvassed other municipalities, seeking support.

Cockburn council has since met and retrospectively passed a motion in support of Subiaco, backing the CEO’s action. The Herald called Mr Goiran twice and emailed him but we received no reply.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK