RATEPAYERS have paid more than $26,000 to investigate 23 complaints against councillors and Orange City Council staff, which were found to have no substance.
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After councillor Glenn Taylor called for a report into the number of complaints during the current council term and their cost, general manager Garry Styles reported four complaints since September 2012 had cost a combined $112,120.
Investigations into three of the complaints revealed breaches of the model code of conduct, which sets the minimum requirements of conduct for council officials.
But Mr Styles’ report stated one complaint contained 24 allegations against several councillors and council staff.
“[The conduct reviewer] determined to take no action on all but one matter, which has been resolved by the general manager and which had been acted upon prior to complaint,” the report said.
The matter cost $26,460 in staff time.
Cr Taylor was outraged when acting general manager Chris Devitt confirmed the 24 allegations came from a single complainant, but could not reveal their identity.
As part of the process, complainants’ identities remain confidential.
“That’s disgraceful - we have no recourse whatsoever,” Cr Taylor said.
“So you can make as many allegations as you can and throw mud as far as you can and we can’t find out who made the allegations or what the allegations were - this has to be cleaned up.
“You can’t cost the ratepayers $26,000 and walk away and say that’s that.”
Mr Devitt told councillors the initial cost to investigate complaints was expensive, but determining their validity early had saved additional expenditure.
Councillors will raise the matter at the Local Government NSW conference in October.
March 2014: An alleged failure to follow meeting procedure was referred to the conduct reviewer, breach found and explanation was sought from the councillor - $6080.
June 2014: An alleged breach of “key principles” was referred to the conduct review panel. The panel found breaches and the councillor was counselled - $19,590.
April 2015: Alleged breach of key principles, namely a complaint against councillor Reg Kidd for expressing doubts in information presented by corporate and commercial services director Kathy Woolley. It was referred to the review panel and the panel found breaches, resolved by public apology - $59,990.
July 2015: A complaint containing 24 allegations against several councillors and staff was referred to a conduct reviewer. The reviewer took no action on all but one matter, which was resolved by the general manager despite the matter having been acted upon prior to the complaint - $26,460.
Total incurred including panel costs and staff time: $112,120