No More Words From Gore Councillors While Review Is Underway

Gore district councillors have been told to zip it while an independent review is underway.

Deputy Mayor Keith Hovell said today, when contacted, that lawyers have instructed all councillors to say nothing to media about how they are feeling about the review – and what might come of it.

Review options might include assigning an advisor to the Mayor and/or councillors or worst case scenario the entire council could be sacked and replaced by a commissioner.

Cr Hovell recently warned the team that if nobody came forward and admitted leaking confidential information from a recent in-committee meeting, it was not looking good for the council.

But he wouldn’t be drawn on speculation about who the person was, and said he has been advised to say nothing.

“Council has resolved to allow someone to help us and that’s where we are at.   We’re in a bit of a holding pattern at the moment.”

Councillors and Mayor Ben Bell were all onboard with the recommendations for an independent review as a result of the breakdown between his Worship and chief executive Steve Parry.

Cr Hovell recently said that prior to the March 28 meeting where the Mayor walked out, councillors were not even aware of the breakdown in relationship between Bell and the CEO.

An intermediary person to act between the Mayor and CEO was in place until a review can be completed.   This role was currently being undertaken by Cr Richard McPhail.

The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday May 16 at 4pm, where a legal opinion will be tabled explaining whether or not the Mayor can be removed from the Appraisal Committee.