Council has initiated an independent investigation into allegations of bullying following receipt of a formal complaint from a senior council officer.

Given the nature of the allegations and the CEO's legislated obligations, Council sought legal advice before appointing independent investigators to look into the matter.

Pending receipt of the investigators report, and given the pre-election 'caretaker' rules that currently apply to all Council decisions and public statements, it is inappropriate for Council to make comments at this time.

However, the City of Kingston can give unqualified assurance that all elected officials and staff are expected to act with the highest standard of behaviour at all times, as well as within a framework of good corporate governance, including legislation such as the Local Government Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Fair Work Act and anti-discrimination legislation.

We would like to reassure the community that this matter is not impacting on service delivery.


Update - 24 October 2012

Report received into investigation of Councillor bullying

Council has today received the outcome of an independent investigation into formal allegations of bullying by a senior council officer against three Councillors.

The allegations have been found to be unsubstantiated by the external investigator.
 
Kingston City Council initiated the investigation in early August following receipt of a formal complaint from a senior council officer.
 
A report by independent investigation firm STOPLine, following a two month review, states “it is apparent that some councillors have been very vigorous and spirited in pursuit of outcomes over council issues of interest to them”.
 
However, the report says that “robust discussion, spirited debate and dogged pursuit of objectives are not synonymous with bullying behaviour or breaches of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct”.
 
The investigator said “there was a fine line between these types of justifiable behaviours and bullying or showing disrespect to other parties.”
 
He said his inquiries, which included interviews with a number of parties, suggested that “the line was closely approached but not crossed”.
 
Given the nature of the allegations and the CEO’s legislated obligations, the Council sought legal advice before appointing STOPLine to look into the matter.
 
CEO John Nevins said all elected officials and staff are expected to act with the highest standard of behaviour at all times, as well as within a framework of good corporate governance, including legislation such as the Local Government Act, the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Fair Work Act and anti-discrimination legislation.
 
He said the outcome of the investigation will be assessed and that Councillor/Officer relationships will be a critical element of the new Council’s induction and training.
 
Council will continue to provide support to all parties who were involved in this investigation.