Burnside mayor accused of code of conduct breach
Burnside Mayor Anne Monceaux may have breached the code of conduct by telling sacked CEO Paul Deb how to do his job.
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Burnside Mayor Anne Monceaux is being investigated for a potential breach of the council’s code of conduct rules for telling sacked chief executive Paul Deb how to do his job.
Ms Monceaux emailed Mr Deb on February 4 instructing him to stop incurring “further legal costs” on a “police matter” involving former councillor Lance Bagster.
The Messenger understands the council agreed at its meeting last Tuesday to seek further legal advice over whether Ms Monceaux had breached its code of conduct rules.
The rules state council members must “refrain from directing or influencing council staff with respect to the way in which these employees perform their duties”.
In her email, sighted by The Messenger, Ms Monceaux told Mr Deb to stop spending money on “further legal costs … in matters pertaining to Mr Bagster”.
“This is to be effective immediately,” she wrote.
“This is a police matter
“Please confirm ... (you) will act on it immediately.”
Mr Bagster resigned as a councillor in August last year after Ombudsman Wayne Lines found he had committed 12 acts of misconduct.
The council would consider legal action if Mr Bagster was elected at the November election.
Ms Monceaux declared a conflict of interest and left the council chamber last Tuesday night before the council discussed the alleged breach behind closed doors.
The council voted at the meeting to keep the matter secret despite a push by Cr Harvey Jones that it be made public.
“I think the ratepayers of Burnside need to see what we are spending their money on,” Cr Jones said.
“We’re spending lots of money on legal fees for what I would suggest very little purpose.
“They deserve to see … where their money is going.”
His request was backed by Cr Lillian Henschke and Cr Jenny Turnbull.
However, Cr Peter Cornish said the matter should stay confidential for now.
“We are still partially through this process, this isn’t the end of these items,” Cr Cornish said.
“I don't believe you should muddy the waters … putting it out into the public.
“It’s not done, you keep it in-house until you’ve got a result at the end of the day.
“You need to protect it while it’s happening in the process.”
Mr Deb was dismissed from his $230,000 job at a secret meeting of the council in June following allegations he made derogatory comments about elected members.
Mr Deb’s lawyer Greg Griffin has vowed to fight the dismissal, telling The Messenger that the matter will be before the Supreme Court in coming weeks.
Ms Monceaux declined to comment.