City councillors will on Monday meet behind closed doors to make the most important decision of their term. A special meeting to discuss a "confidential personnel matter" will reportedly focus on chief executive officer Peter Schneider's future after 17 months in the job.

Mayor Tony Herbert this week revealed Mr Schneider's six and 12-month performance reviews had been "unanimously" passed by councillors. The most recent review was in March.

"I cannot know the minds of my fellow councillors nor am I able to talk further about the meeting scheduled for Monday night, however the CEO has proven that he has responded to the many challenges he has faced, many of an historical nature, and continues to act in the best interest of council and the community moving forward," Cr Herbert said in a statement to The Standard.

Cr Herbert knows two others back his support for Mr Schneider. He can't speak for the other four but it is clear where they stand.

Cr Sue Cassidy was critical of the CEO at this week's public meeting because a review announced in March last year, designed to restructure the organisation's staffing resources to make it financially sustainable, would not be implemented until the first half of next year.

Councillors are only responsible for one staff appointment - the CEO. Six of the current seven councillors appointed Mr Schneider. That was a big decision. Monday's decision is even bigger. It is rare for councillors to axe a CEO but if they do, they too have to be held to account. Should they fall on their swords for the initial appointment? How much will such a decision cost long-suffering ratepayers? Is this in the best interests of the city and ratepayers? If If the status quo remains, can this divisive process be forgotten for the common good?

Only last month the council acknowledged it had lost ratepayers' confidence. Will this, regardless of the outcome, help restore it? Ratepayers will be quick to judge. They will also be able to cast their own votes at October's elections.

There is a lot at stake for everyone involved.

The week started with optimism COVID-19 restrictions might be further eased in regional areas and while it ended with us being treated differently than our metropolitan counterparts, it wasn't what we had in mind. We might have been spared a return to stage three lockdown restrictions because we have been coronavirus-free for 14 weeks, but we have to remain vigilant. Many readers believe we should go back into lockdown. We dodged a bullet earlier in the week when it was revealed a family holidaying in Port Fairy tested positive after they returned to Melbourne.

Melbourne's lockdown has considerable impacts on us. Our tourist industry is facing devastation just when it saw some light at the end of the tunnel.

Don't forget free car parking in Warrnambool's CBD is changing.

The city council adopted its budget for the next 12 months but there was no joy for those campaigning for a rates freeze or relief from planned sports ground fee rises.

The war on drugs claimed another win with a big crop of cannabis seized in a grow-house earlier in the week. That's the seventh such bust in recent months across the region.

Family violence continues to rise across the south-west despite considerable campaigning aimed at changing attitudes and behaviours. This story was compelling reading.

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Photographer Morgan Hancock made the most of our chilly but sunny mornings this week and captured yet another postcard image (above).

Here's a selection of other stories that made headlines this week.

Stay safe.

Until next week,