Decision

A formal investigation was
undertaken further to allegations made by Councillor Matthew Bailey
that Councillor Tim Harrison had breached the Councillor Code of
Conduct. The investigation found that breaches of the Councillor
Code of Conduct had occurred. The matter was referred to a meeting
of the Hearing Review Panel (the Panel). The Panel was requested to
consider the investigator’s report in accordance with the
Council’s procedures for dealing with complaints against
councillors. It was the role of the Panel to make a decision on the
investigator’s findings as to whether Councillor Harrison had
breached the Councillor Code of Conduct.
 
Prior to the commencement of
formal business, the Panel were informed that the Council’s
current Independent Person was unable to attend the Hearing due to
ill health. However, the Council’s former Independent Person
Fred Mann had given his views on the complaint and these views were
circulated to Panel members, the subject councillor and the
complainant. After deliberating, both the Panel, the complainant
and the subject councillor confirmed that they were content to
proceed in the absence of the current Independent
Person.