Nillumbik councillor Meralyn Klein faces warning over letters

A CANDIDATE in Melbourne’s north will be given an official warning over the misuse of council resources after she sent unauthorised letters to her community.

Cr Meralyn Klein argued she was accused because her letter was ‘not to the liking’ of the council’s administration. Picture: Dennis Manktelow

A NILLUMBIK councillor will be given an official warning by the Local Government Inspectorate for the misuse of council resources after she sent unauthorised letters to her community.

Cr Meralyn Klein paid $1200 to print and send a “transcript” of her July ward meeting on the council’s letterhead, including her photo and contact details, to her constituents.

Cr Klein is standing for re-election along with her husband, John and son and daughter, Mark and Jaclyn.

She said her personalised letterhead was provided at the start of her council term to communicate with residents.

Meralyn, Mark, Jaclyn and John Klein, pictured with Muffin the dog, are all candidates for council elections. Picture: Ellen Smith

But according to Nillumbik chief executive Stuart Burdack, the letter contained Cr Klein’s personal opinions, some of which were contradictory to the intention and policy of the council.

Mr Burdack said there were also some statements regarding C101 environmental overlays in the letter that were factually incorrect.

“Using the logo on unapproved material could lead residents to believe that the information has been provided by the administration, reflects the adopted position of the whole council or is endorsed by council,” he said.

Mr Burdack said the council’s logo and brand were used to communicate the decisions, events, activities and services of the council.

“Cr Klein’s newsletter was not approved as official council material,” he said.

Meralyn Klein will get an official warning for using the council’s letterhead. Picture:

In an email to the chief executive seen by Leader, Cr Klein struck back, saying she was not voted in by the public to push anyone else’s views or tow the council administration’s line.

“I have to conclude that the reason I have been accused of unauthorised use of the logo is because the content of my letter was not to the liking of this administration and had not been ‘censored’ by council staff prior to being sent out,” she said.

But Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf said the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate had investigated the matter and found that Cr Klein had used council resources without authorisation and contrary to council policy.

“The impact of Cr Klein’s actions was limited and the Inspectorate elected, on this occasion, to provide education on council policy and issue a formal warning,” Mr Wolf said.

He said any further allegations would be independently assessed.

The Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate has been established as an independent administrative office to assess compliance with the Local Government Act, the guiding legislation for the state’s 79 councils.

Details at dpc.vic.gov.au