GRANT District Council elected members will attend a work, health and safety regulatory information session following a “hazard report” being lodged regarding alleged behaviours towards staff.
While the matter is shrouded in confidentiality, it is understood the alleged matter may relate to claims of bullying regarding one elected member.
Council chief executive officer David Singe told The Border Watch yesterday he could not provide details on the particular “hazard” issue given confidentiality requirements.
The Border Watch cannot release the name of the alleged elected member involved due to legal implications.
But at council’s full meeting this week, a report revealed a “hazard” had been recently lodged under council’s “work health safety management system”.
This is in regards to “behaviours towards staff, which may have an adverse effect on the health and safety of staff”.
“On investigation of this hazard, it was identified that formal training had not been provided to elected members on the duties of elected members under the work health safety legislation,” the report said.
Mr Singe said in a report that elected members must not “bully or harass council staff” and abide within the boundaries of the elected member code of conduct.
Mr Singe said elected members must also direct all requests for information from the council administration to council’s chief executive officer or nominated delegates.
Mr Singe said elected members must also direct all requests for work or actions by council staff to council’s chief executive officer or nominated delegate.
“(They should) also refrain from directing or influencing council staff with respect to the way in which these employees perform their duties,” the council chief said.
He said elected members must also note the importance of the “code of conduct” in running an “effective and respected” council.
`”As part of the 2018 elected member induction process, I provided advice that it is impractical for all requests for information, work or actions to be directed through the CEO,” Mr Singe said.
He said requests could also be directed to senior managers.
“We attend all or most council or committee meetings,” Mr Singe said in the report.
“This gives us a clear understanding of discussion and intent of council debate and decisions and accordingly we will be collectively better informed than the staff team to undertake actions or provide the necessary actions and support.”
Council will hold an elected member information session on the work health safety legislation and regulations as well as its applications to elected members.
The information session is expected to be held next month.
