Police called to Adelaide Hills Council after mayor’s husband ‘refuses to leave’

Police were called to an Adelaide Hills Council meeting after a “continued disruption” by the mayor’s husband caused dramatic scenes, the deputy mayor says.

Three police officers were called to the Adelaide Hills Council meeting over “safety concerns” for staff after the husband of the mayor caused “continued disruption” and refused to leave, the deputy mayor says.

Deputy Mayor Melanie Selwood said Kevin Wisdom-Hill refused to leave the public gallery despite numerous warnings over disrupting the meeting, initally saying in a statement he was escorted from the meeting by police.

Residents at the meeting said he left of his own accord - which Ms Selwood confirmed as correct on Thursday morning.

A council spokesperson said he was met by police at the door and escorted off council premises.

However, Mr Wisdom-Hill said he had no idea police were called, left of his own accord followed by the council CEO and found police walking towards him in the carpark, where he spoke to them, then left. He said he was not escorted or assisted off the premises.

It occurred after Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom’s speech to the council, which addressed its vote last month that she resign and apologise – something she has so far declined to do.

The council in November alleged a “complex” investigation sparked by a secret complaint had found Dr Wisdom bullied staff and misled the community and council.

The entry way to the Adelaide Hills Council. Picture: Lynton Grace

Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom

She then left the meeting, while her husband remained in the public gallery.

“An individual in the gallery was causing continued disruption in the chamber and, after a number of warnings and a refusal to leave, unfortunately had to be escorted from the meeting by police,” Ms Selwood said.

A council spokesperson later said Mr Wisdom-Hill left the meeting of his own accord when police arrived, met them at the door and was walked off the premises.

Ms Selwood said council called police “out of concerns for safety and wellbeing of staff and the ability to do their job”.

“While robust discussion is an important part of any local government, we draw the line at behaviour that makes our team feel unsafe or unable to do their job. I commend staff for their response to last night’s disruption and thank everyone across the organisation who works hard to keep our council meetings running smoothly.”

She said no further action was planned. Mr Wisdom-Hill was contacted for comment while Dr Wisdom said she was unable to comment further than her public statement.

SA Police said officers attended the council building in Stirling about 7pm after reports of a disturbance at a meeting and a person refusing to leave.

The man left when police arrived and no criminal offences were detected, a police spokesperson said.

The Adelaide Hills Mayor's new office in Stirling Coventry Library. Picture Supplied

The report found Dr Wisdom had breached eight standards and “covertly” recorded fellow councillors. She has agreed to training and been asked to repay the $45,000 investigation fee.

She told Tuesday night’s meeting she was “actively considering a challenge to the actions taken against me” and to the “legal validity” of the resolutions passed against her.

“The processes which I have been subjected to at the instigation of council during the course of this year have come at an enormous cost to me personally, not just in terms of financial cost but also at the cost of my reputation and my health,” she said.

“The damage and harm caused to me is unjustified.

“Based upon media articles that I have read, there appears to be an insinuation being promoted by some that I am responsible for the legal costs which council has incurred in dealing with the complaints made against me. I dispute that insinuation.

“There continue to be calls from council for me to resign. I reject those calls as entirely unwarranted and not reflective of an accurate understanding of all the circumstances that have led us to this point.

“Things can always be done better including by me. I regret and apologise to the community for the upset and distraction that this has caused.”

It’s the latest in a string of controversies to rock the council this year, including a surprise $5m budget blackhole, a SafeWork SA referral over workplace intimidation of staff, and twin revelations its legal fees have leapt to $327,710 while it lost nearly a quarter of its staff.

In September, the council sidelined the Mayor after councillors claimed she failed to “fully” inform them of council legal advice she obtained with ratepayer money. Dr Wison said she had authority to obtain the legal advice under the policy she used.

Her office has been moved out of the council administration building and is now a glass box in the library.