Two Corporation of Hamilton officials have welcomed Government plans to oversee the municipality’s finances, claiming that the move will protect the public interest.

On Friday, Home Affairs Minister Minister Michael Fahy announced that Government was to “temporarily assume stewardship of the Corporation’s financial administration and treasury functions, with immediate effect”.

The announcement was made after Ombudsman Arlene Brock revealed the findings of a six-month investigation into City Hall, which concluded that maladministration was rampant.

Deputy Mayor Donal Smith has already hinted that the Corporation may challenge the move. And yesterday Mayor Graeme Outerbridge said it was too early to comment on the matter, although he pointed out that the Corporation’s budgets had been balanced under the Team Hamilton administration.

But Alderman Gwyneth Rawlins and Councillor Larry Scott — two of the council’s consistent critics — said it was time for Government to step in.

And Councillor Scott also criticised Opposition Deputy Leader Derrick Burgess who had expressed concern at the development, claiming it “throws a shadow over the motivations of the OBA”.

“Mr Burgess MP, must stop siding with bad behaviour — period,” Councillor Scott said.

“The interest here is the public interest being protected from maladministration, which continues unabated even after the Ombudsman pointed it out to us.

“The maladministration has being going on secretly behind the backs of other Council members all along. The whole saga has been nothing more than an embarrassment to decent people.

“And let me put it another way but more frankly — to black people. We expect a lot more from ourselves than has been exposed in this whole affair, particularly after there was so much hope when Team Hamilton won that election in May of 2012. Just how many people have been let down by this?

“The only thing that Mr Burgess has said that I agree with is that this matter be resolved quickly. The action of the Minister is what decent people have been crying out for and thought would never happen. Finally it has, and not too late either, and for that the Minister should be backed not suspected.

“Finally, I hope Mr Burgess is never again going to be seen publicly upholding or supporting that conduct in any way or fashion. He should step back from this issue and not taint himself naively with blind loyalty.”

Alderman Rawlins said she was saddened by the news that Government was stepping in but recognised that it was necessary in order to restore order at the Corporation.

“It wasn’t until late this afternoon that I learned of Minister Fahy’s announcement,” Alderman Rawlins told The Royal Gazette.

“I was very sad to say the least, as this is a very dark day for those of us on the Council who have always been on the side of doing what is right.

“I for one have always recognised that I have to live in my own skin and it’s my own mirror that I have to look into every morning. The behaviour of some of my colleagues, particularly in the area of how the finances of the City are being conducted, could best be described as behaviour of schoolyard bullies and it had to be stopped. Regrettably, I welcome all efforts to do so.

“As to whether Minister Fahy’s action means that the Government will effectively be running the Corporation overall, I really cannot answer that. But I will embrace all and any efforts to return the Corporation of Hamilton to the good graces and respect of the businesses and residents alike.”