HORSHAM Rural City Council has criticised Business Horsham's decision to write a public letter instead of meeting senior management to discuss its concerns.
Business Horsham asked that its letter, critical of planning and promotion services manager Robin Neilson and the council's dealing with business owners, be dealt with in open council on Monday.
Cr Michael Ryan said there were better ways for Business Horsham to get results.
"Clearly there are issues, whether they are perceived or real," he said.
"This should be resolved in a business-like way.
"We could sit here all night and talk about this.
"Robin Neilson has been fairly heavily challenged. Mr Neilson has a right to defend his actions and credibility. The best way is for a meeting to take place."
Councillors agreed to Cr Ryan's suggestion that Business Horsham meet with the council's management team.
Cr Gary Bird was critical of Business Horsham releasing the letter to the Mail-Times.
"This should never, never have been on the front page of the Mail- Times but it's not the Mail-Times' fault," he said. "It's disappointing it came out the way it did.
"But we can overcome it, and certainly Business Horsham can overcome it. I guess one bad hamburger doesn't ruin the whole hamburger shop."
Cr Mark Radford said he was disappointed by the road Business Horsham had taken.
Cr Radford said he had met twice with Business Horsham.
He said if the organisation was going to `have a crack' at someone, it should do it face-to-face, not through a letter.
Cr Radford said he supported Mr Neilson, who had to `put up with a lot' through dealing with parking and animal issues.
"I don't want your job, but I do support you," he said.
But Cr David Grimble said the council should not take too much offence by the letter.
"We need to take on board what they are saying," he said.
"We need to accept and listen to their point of view."
Cr Grimble said he went to Business Horsham's annual meeting and had also met privately with Business Horsham.
"Business Horsham was actually under-represented at the meeting and the council over-represented," he said.
Cr Mandi Stewart said the process that Business Horsham had chosen to take was `not great'.
"But we've got to listen. We do a lot right but we might need to look at some areas. This is not about the council. It's about the staff and I think Kerryn has to meet Business Horsham with his management team and sort out the issues," she said.
Cr Lindy Muller said the council needed to take notice of the letter.
"If I was going to take on planning, whether it be a business, a shed or a house, it's an absolute nightmare, I wouldn't know what to do. I would love to see a pathway or flow-chart for new business owners or people wanting to build a shed. It's hard for people to navigate the pathways," she said.
Cr Muller suggested the council look at employing someone to deal with planning issues.
"It might seem a lot of work but if there's something visual, it's going to take a lot of heat off the planning department," she said.
Mr Neilson said the council had an information sheet on different types of planning but said Wimmera Business Centre and Wimmera Development Association could assist in creating a new guide.
He said the Italian restaurant owners needed `some assistance' in setting up a business.
"Some people appoint someone to assist, others try to do it themselves," he said.
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