WA's York council may be suspended

The council of a Wheatbelt town east of Perth could be suspended for up to six months after being accused of poor governance.

Local Government Minister Tony Simpson has issued the Shire of York with a show cause notice asking why the council should not be suspended following concerns "expressed over an extended period" about its ability to provide good governance.

The shire has 21 days to respond.

Mr Simpson said on Thursday a "significant number of issues" had emerged.

"There is sufficient evidence that it is inappropriate for the Shire of York's council to continue without intervention," he said.

The WA government has in recent years cracked down on local councils, with the metropolitan City of Canning sacked in September for poor governance including a lack of transparency in decisions and a lack of effective community engagement on some issues.

The council is being run by three commissioners until it is swallowed up by neighbouring councils as part of the state government's contentious forced amalgamations.