Unley council spends $16k investigating Mayor Michael Hewitson for making videos, writing in local free paper

A suburban council has spent $16,000 investigating complaints against its mayor for producing videos and writing in a free community newspaper.

A council has spent $16,000 investigating complaints that its mayor misused staff resources to proofread newsletters and produce videos.

Unley Council will vote on a censure motion against former Trinity College principal and highly regarded educationalist Michael Hewitson, on Tuesday night.

They have received a report by law firm Minter Ellison into two anonymous complaints against Mr Hewitson – the first involving his use of staff to fact-check newsletters and produce videos for ratepayers.

The second claimed Mr Hewitson had brought the council into disrepute by writing a column for a free community newspaper which questioned “silly rules” in local government that stopped elected members working directly with paid council staff.

Referring to confidential legal advice received by the council, Mr Hewitson wrote he had been “advised it is against the rules of elected members to be able to have the information they share with you (ratepayers) checked by staff who are willing to do so”.

“Is there a way for our staff and elected members to be able to work together, even though there are rules which are silly when applied to willing partners working for truth?” he asked.

“Yes, staff need to be protected from being politicised by individual councillors or mayors. (But) legal rules will always be a blunt instrument applied badly, and they can be bad for our democracy.

“Good governance of the City of Unley requires our staff and elected members to work together and share an agreed set of facts.

“By the way, I am unable to share the legal advice I have had about this with you.”

Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson. Picture: AAP Roy Vandervegt

In its report, Minter Ellison found Mr Hewitson had breached confidentiality by mentioning the legal advice, “diminished community trust and confidence” in the council within his column and “irresponsibly shared an unauthorised council video”.

It recommended councillors should “pass a censure motion in Mr Hewitson expressing disapproval in his conduct”.

The report said Mr Hewitson had provided a lengthy response to the allegations against him, defending his column and rejecting suggestions he had brought the council into public disrepute.

“The mayor commented that if someone in the position of mayor cannot advocate for local government reform, then who can?” it said.

Mr Hewitson declined to comment, saying he intended to seek permission to table a statement at the meeting.