Female Mitcham councillors reported over catch-up at home
AN Adelaide mayor has reported some of his council’s female members for catching up over chocolate and wine at one of their homes, claiming they broke council rules.
MITCHAM Mayor Glenn Spear has reported some of his council’s female members for catching up over chocolate and wine at Cr Karen Hockley’s house, claiming they broke council rules.
Cr Hockley hosted Crs Yvonne Todd, Jane Bange and Lindy Taeuber at her house in January, as a chance to “catch up with the girls”.
After learning of the gathering, Mr Spear reported it to the council, raising concerns that council matters could have been discussed when the elected members met.
In an email sent to all elected members that was sighted by the HillsValley Weekly, Mr Spear said this would break local government rules, which allowed elected members to socialise together so long as they did not come to a formal position about how they will vote on council issues.
“It is my opinion that when such discussions occur among several invited members at a councillor’s home, a different slant on the meeting may be the unintentional result,” Mr Spear wrote.
Cr Adriana Christopoulos was invited but said she not attend because she considered it “inappropriate”.
Cr Hockley told the HillsValley Weekly she held the “innocent social event” at her home so she did not have to get a babysitter for her children.
“This has nothing to do with council, it is just coincidence we ladies work together as elected members,” Cr Hockley said.
“We mainly talked about plans for the year, personal stuff, family, how our Christmas was.
“And it worked really well to hold this at home because I could socialise with my colleagues and my kids could do what they always do.”
Cr Bange said most of the discussion at the gathering was not council-related.
“And there was no discussion on how we would vote on anything,” Cr Bange said.
“I think we need to work together to get to know each other more … that is what team work is about.”
In an email back to Mr Spear, Cr Todd said she was “shocked” by his response.
“Councillors are allowed to get together and have coffees and chats about council issues, so long as they don’t come to agreement about the vote,” Cr Todd said.
Cr Taeuber declined to comment.
Mr Spear said it was his responsibility to report the meeting, but would not comment further.
Mitcham chief executive Matthew Pears said he did not consider the gathering to be in breach of council policy.
He said Mr Spear’s report had not been investigated.