Burnside councillor Lance Bagster ordered to apologise over code of conduct breaches

A BURNSIDE councillor has been ordered to apologise for breaching a confidentiality order and choosing to remain in the council chamber when he allegedly had a conflict of interest.

Burnside councillor Lance Bagster. Source: File

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BURNSIDE councillor Lance Bagster has been ordered to apologise for breaching a confidentiality order and choosing to remain in the council chamber when he allegedly had a conflict of interest.

Councillors last week narrowly passed a resolution ordering a written apology from Cr Bagster, to be published on the council’s website.

The breaches were detailed in a December report by the State Ombudsman, who recommended the apology.

They arose from two May council meetings in which Cr Bagster spoke about his own leave of absence request, which had been decided in confidence, and about the appointment of an independent mediator to manage a feud between him and Burnside chief executive Paul Deb.

Rather than forcing Cr Bagster to publish his apology on the council’s website, Cr Grant Piggott suggested instead “encouraging” him to say sorry.

Cr Peter Cornish — acting as chairman for the debate — used his casting vote to push for the forced apology.

“I think is important we give Cr Bagster the chance to apologise,” Cr Cornish said.

The council also voted to forward more alleged code of conduct breaches against Cr Bagster relating to emails and text messages to staff and Cr Henry Davis that lawyers found “constituted bullying and harassment”.

Councillors Peter Ford and Felicity Lord voted against the resolution.

“I refuse to condone extending the costs and processes that are set out,” Cr Ford said.

Cr Bagster told the Eastern Courier Messenger he would wait to hear officially what was decided at the meeting before commenting.