How will the council regain the trust of its ratepayers and is it possible the same mistakes could be made again? JANAE HOUGHTON reports.

A FEAR of past mistakes being repeated has motivated Ombudsman George Brouwer to recommend Local Government Minister Richard Wynne closely monitor the new Brimbank Council.

"Should the poor practices that occurred prior to the 2008 election continue, that he consider suspending or dismissing the council with a view to enabling Brimbank to be properly and effectively governed," Mr Brouwer said.

The call comes after the Ombudsman's investigation revealed that within hours of the November 2008 elections; a new ruling faction had been created, with links to Keilor MP and Labor powerbroker George Seitz.

Councillors Sam David, Maria Kiselis, Heidi Seitz, Troy Atanasovski, Robert Shamon and Tran Siu met at the house of Mr Sam Tabban [former councillor and uncle of new councillor Robert Shamon] to discuss the mayoralty for the next four years," the report stated. The remaining five councillors were not invited, nor advised of the outcome of the December 2 meeting.

Cr Atanasovski said this council was different. He confirmed the meeting occurred but would not comment on whether the mayoral list was correct.

"I haven't really read the whole Ombudsman report yet, so I can't comment."

Cr Sui said there was no way the new council would resort to the behaviour of the old regime.

Cr Sui also confirmed the December 2 meeting, but was evasive about the mayoral list. "Oh, it's handy to have a plan, a vision; but anything can happen," he said.

But Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn believed this was enough to sound alarm bells.

"It would be best to get an administrator in for 12 months or a couple of years and start all over again."

Brimbank chief executive Nick Foa said he would work closely with new councillors.

"I can assure the community that we are working closely with the new council to ensure all councillors are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities as elected representatives." He said a staff reference group would be set up to implement recommendations from the report.