EMOTIONS ran high at Grant District Council on Monday with a number of staff members walking out in protest over fears the cultural review may not be released to the public.
In unprecedented scenes in the Grant district chamber, one visibly upset staff member – tasked with taking the minutes – was reduced to tears and said she could no longer stay in the chamber.
A decision by councillors to discuss the cultural review in confidence sparked a mass walk-out of staff from the gallery, who were sitting watching the proceedings unfold.
It is understood these staff members were specifically in the chamber to listen to the cultural review matter.
The cultural review has been kept secret from the public since earlier this year after independent consultants pored over the organisation’s culture.
This follows claims of bullying and “hazards” within the organisation.
While a charter of agreed behaviour actions have been swept in, the contents have been kept hidden from the public and council staff.
At Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Richard Sage said he wanted the discussion regarding the release of the review to be conducted in confidence.
“As it was discussed in committee, I would like to go back into committee to discuss whether we put it out to the general public,” Mr Sage told the chamber.
“You would be aware that some of the information in there is very sensitive to the previous chief executive officer David Singe who was working here and could lead to other problems for council.”
Acting chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh told councillors there was “no reason” for this discussion to be in confidence.
“It is up to council whether you wish that to be in confidence or not. I do not believe there is any legal obligation for us not to release it,” Ms Fetherstonhaugh said.
Cr Megan Dukalskis questioned senior staff whether the cultural review had been requested by Mr Singe’s lawyers.
According to senior staff, Mr Singe’s lawyers – who have foreshadowed civil legal action – had not requested this document.
“Personally, I do not care where it is discussed as long as it is discussed,” deputy mayor Cr Gill Clayfield said.
In response, Mr Sage said if council was going to release it “that was fine” but it needed to be discussed in committee.
Cr Barry Kuhl moved the matter be discussed in committee, which was passed by the majority of councillors.
At this point, the staff sitting in the gallery walked out of the chamber.
Pushing for transparency, Cr Clayfield submitted a notice of motion to have the report taken out of confidence.
This follows elected members voting to have this report remain secret from the public for a staggering seven years.
Explaining her reasons for the notice of motion in the council agenda, Cr Clayfield said she believed the cultural review no longer met the criteria for “in confidence”.
“I also feel the staff who were very invested and all took part in the cultural review are feeling very excluded having not seen the results of the review,” Cr Clayfield said.
“Since the cultural review was completed a Charter of Agreed Behaviours was established, moved as a motion and must be adhered to by all elected members and staff and it is essential that staff see from where this was based.”
Given a new chief executive officer was about to start, Cr Clayfield argued the release of this information would ensure an “open and transparent pathway” for council moving forward.
