Ratepayers to cover cost of councillor quarrel

IN-fighting between Golden Plains Shire councillors has cost the organisation unconfirmed funds following an arbitration process held earlier this year.

The investigation was carried out by an external arbiter after deputy-mayor Cr Gavin Gamble reported six claims of misconduct against Cr Les Rowe.

With one incident later withdrawn, Cr Rowe was accused of breaching part of the Local Government (Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020, which outlines appropriate councillor behaviour in performing their duties.

Cr Gamble said the incidents all took place around the time of the municipality’s mayoral election last year, and that he felt justified in seeking arbitration.

“I believed I was acting in the interest of good governance and the health and well-being of various people including myself,” he said.

“I believe I tried to do the right thing by challenging, through the proper process, conduct I believed would not be countenanced in most workplaces.”

Cr Gamble said Cr Rowe “has a history of refusal to engage in internal arbitration or to adopt a conciliatory approach.”

Yet Cr Rowe said the dispute should never have reached the arbitration process.

“It should have been resolved internally,” he said. “I don’t think it’s right to use ratepayer’s money to resolve councillor issues.

“It should be brought up with the fellow councillor to resolve it. It shouldn’t just go straight to arbiter for the councillor to find out from them.”

Of the remaining five claims, all were dismissed except one in which Cr Rowe was found to have disrespected municipality CEO Eric Braslis during an email exchange.

When Mr Braslis sent all councillors an email about the City of Ballarat’s deputy-mayoral election Cr Rowe responded by telling Mr Braslis to “keep your snout out of the trough.”

The arbitration process resulted in a directions hearing on Monday, 6 March after which Cr Rowe explained his actions later that month.

He was found to have acted inappropriately and required to provide a written apology to Mr Braslis, which was tabled during council’s regular meeting on Tuesday last week.

“I respect the arbiter’s decision,” Cr Gamble said. “I do believe it justifies the cost to ratepayers.

“I don’t think this council has a problem with internal conflict no more so than any other councils I can see. We don’t have a monitor so it’s important for democracy that we don’t get to that stage.”

Cr Rowe said he also accepted the outcome.

“As far as I’m concerned, the umpire’s decision’s final,” he said. “Only one out of the six incidences held any substance.

“The bottom line is the CEO never had an issue with what I said. It came from a fellow councillor.

“I could have used my words more appropriately but you’ve got to realise, I’m a farmer in my normal life and that’s the way I communicate.

“I know I probably need to improve on that. It also said in the arbitrator’s decision that Cr Gamble should communicate a little more with councillors and myself, and I don’t believe he does communicate.”

Cr Gamble’s other claims accused Cr Rowe of political strongarming over a bridge tender and an election endorsement, as well as showing disrespect by not applauding when Cr Gamble was elected deputy-mayor late last year.

Another outlined incident also describes Cr Rowe sending a “reply-all” email to all councillors, senior management and a council officer, the latter’s inclusion of which goes against the municipality’s interaction policy between councillors and staff.

Cr Rowe claimed the inclusion of the council officer was accidental, which was accepted by the arbiter.

Cr Gamble said Cr Rowe used his apology letter to take further swipes at him.

“I wasn’t happy with the letter he wrote where he continued attacking me,” he said. “I believe it was an inappropriate forum.”

Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said the organisation will continue to strive for good governance amongst councillors.

“Golden Plains Shire council will continue to support councillors to provide good governance for the municipal community of Golden Plains,” he said.

“[This is] including by upholding the standards of behaviour that are provided by the council’s Code of Conduct and the Local Government Act 2020.”

“Council is yet to be provided with the full cost of the internal arbitration process.”

In his apology letter, Cr Rowe said the arbitration costed the municipality “approximately $10,000.”