Complaints cost drops to $11,000

Councillors will consider a report listing four complaints in the past year, costing the council $11,828.

The 2016 cost was substantially lower than previous years where two complaints in the year to August 2015 cost $86,450.

Four complaints made between September 2012 and September last year cost a total of $112,120.

Mayor John Davis said bringing the cost down was a positive.

“An acceptable position would be nought – $1 is too much to be honest,” he said.

“There’s a realisation within council and councillors that it should be responsible in that it’s community money – the majority of councillors [realise] that code of conduct complaints are very costly.”

Cr Davis said it became difficult when people faced unsubstantiated complaints.

“You have to defend your position,” he said.

“The general rule is you don’t bring local government into disrepute, it’s a fairly easy rule to stick to.”

According to the report from administration and governance manager Michelle Catlin, four complaints were made about councillors or general manager Garry Styles during the course of the year.

All four were referred to a conduct reviewer, who investigated two, dismissed one and referred another to Mr Styles to resolve “by alternate means”.

One of the matters requiring investigation required no action, leaving one still to be dealt with.

Councillors will debate the alleged contravention on Tuesday night behind closed doors.

Complaints, who made them and who they apply to remain confidential, in accordance with the code’s procedures, unless a sanction is required.

A sanction was passed against councillor Reg Kidd in 2015 for questioning advice given by corporate and commercial services director Kathy Woolley and failing to leave the chamber after declaring a conflict of interest during discussions for a grant to Racing Orange. 

Cr Kidd was required to apologise to Ms Woolley and face censure if he was found guilty of any further breaches.

Cr Davis could not shed light on the three matters nor the outstanding incident, otherwise he would also face a code of conduct breach.