Local government resignations with claims of bullying and harassment behind a veil of secrecy continue to play out like a C-grade soap opera, writes Mike Smithson.

The Adelaide Hills Council is the latest to be riven with problems and a shrinking elected member base.

As ratepayers across Adelaide councils continue to pay more for less, plus hefty legal fees they probably don’t even know about, there appears to be a fundamental problem of process.

As with a favoured old chestnut, namely Burnside Council, its neighbouring hills municipality is spending more time arguing within than promoting harmony and services for those who pay thousands of dollars each year.

It’s like a stuck record, repeating the same tune over and over.

Culture issues and personality clashes are listed as reasons for a mass exodus in the Hills.

Three councillors have resigned in one week.

As with the Burnside fiasco, a recurring theme is the claim of bullying being kept confidential and the catalyst for councillors heading for the exit door.

For differing reasons, Pauline Gill, Louise Pascale and Melanie Selwood have all said “hasta la vista” as they hurriedly packed their bags and started the car, unlikely to ever return.

AHC has an annual operating budget of $64.4 million and a current debt of $3 million.

Its legal bill for the past financial year is thought to be around $400,000.

The mayor Jan Claire-Wisdom is currently on six months paid leave, which seems to indicate an........

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