After nearly four months of monitoring and two approved extensions, the City of South Perth and its monitor have yet to develop an action plan.

Mayor Greg Milner called a special council meeting on Tuesday night to consider formally requesting Local Government inspector Tony Brown extend the appointment of monitor Gail McGowan until August 17.

Her appointment was scheduled to end on June 17.

The South Perth council unanimously supported extending her time with the city, despite confusion on what has actually been achieved so far.

Acting CEO Anita Amprimo told the council there was no action plan in place or even drafted in response to a question from councillor Tim Houweling.

According to Ms McGowan’s terms of appointment, she is to “assist the city develop an action plan setting out any necessary governance and/or relationship improvements”.

Ms McGowan began overlooking the city on February 25.

Cr Bronwyn Waugh said she had limited information on what had been achieved with the monitor to date.

“As an elected member, I’m struggling to identify what specific improvements have been achieved,” she said.

“I’m aware that as elected members, we have a responsibility to ensure that every expenditure of ratepayer funds can be justified.

“At present, with the information that I have, which is very limited, I’m not satisfied that we have sufficient information to support the proposed extension.”

Cr Hayley Prendiville echoed Cr Waugh’s concerns.

“I want to understand more about what’s been happening,” she said.

“Can we get some clarity on exactly how the monitor has been providing that stable influence, what actions have occurred with the city and those sorts of specifics?”

Cr Prendiville asked what accompanying information would go along with the formal letter to justify why the extension was needed.

Mr Milner said the city was still facing challenges.

“We currently have a number of key personnel on leave, which is compounded by a higher than usual number of employee vacancies across the organisation and an elevated number of employees currently working in acting or higher duty capacities,” he said.

“Speaking for myself, I consider that Ms McGowan’s presence at the city has been a positive and stabilising influence since her appointment.

“I do think that the ongoing presence of Ms McGowan as monitor would be helpful in the current circumstances, particularly where the good governance of the city is concerned.”

Cr Houweling attempted to adjust the original terms of reference so they would be “fit for purpose” and would take the council to an implementation phase rather than remain in an investigation phase.

“We’ve got to go to the implementation stage to take advantage of paying a monitor approximately $900 per day for the benefit of the ratepayers of the city,” he said.

“It can’t be that we’re still in the investigation phase.”

Ms Amprimo said she had no issues with the amendment but noted that ultimately, the decision and the actual terms of appointment were determined by the Local Government Inspector.

Cr Houweling’s amendment was not successful.

The cost of the monitor is expected to remain at $900 per day, paid for by city ratepayers. It is understood Ms McGowan will continue to work at the city two days a week.

Ms McGowan was tasked with observing council and committee meetings, reviewing governance practices, and inspecting city documents amid allegations of dysfunction at the city.

Her appointment was initially meant to end on April 29 but was extended by Mr Brown to June 17.

Mr Brown told The West Australian in March further action was being considered as concerns about the council’s conduct and governance arrangements continued to be examined.

According to the city, the proposed extension would enable the monitor to remain in place while a workplace psychosocial risk assessment is completed. The assessment is currently under way and is expected to be finished in late July to early August, with findings to be made available to the monitor.

Council officers said those findings could be relevant to Ms McGowan’s final report to the Local Government Inspector.

The city has faced internal instability, including senior departures and wider concerns about governance practices.

In March, CEO Liz Ledger went on leave just three months into the job after sending an email out to staff outlining her serious concerns and intention to hire an external consultant to conduct a psychosocial review. Five councillors, including the mayor, voted to stop the CEO from conducting the independent review.

Ms Ledger is still on leave, with director of infrastructure services Anita Amprimo acting as CEO.

Ms Amprimo said she would proceed with the psychosocial risk assessment regardless of what the council thought.

If the extension is approved, the city will also request an amendment to the monitor’s reporting requirements so the final report deadline aligns with the extended term.

The final decision on the extension will be made by the Local Government Inspector.