Board of inquiry draft report to go to Glenorchy aldermen by next month

GLENORCHY aldermen are expected to receive a draft board of inquiry report by next month, more than a year after the process began.

Local Government Miniser Peter Gutwein. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

GLENORCHY aldermen are expected to receive a draft board of inquiry report by next month, more than a year after the process began.

Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein announced the board of inquiry a year ago last week, because of what he described as divisions in the council affecting governance.

Mr Gutwein said the draft report would be provided to involved parties by the end of November.

He did not clarify when aldermen would be required to submit responses to the draft report, or when the final report would be publicly released.

Mr Gutwein said, after receiving the draft report, he would follow the “appropriate processes” to ensure procedural fairness for all parties.

The board has been made up of former West Tamar mayor Barry Easther and former Flinders Island mayor Lynn Mason.

Mr Easther said the board was still “busily working” on the report. “The board of inquiry members and secretarial support are working very hard preparing the report,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work to be done.

“We’ll get it done as quickly as we can.”

The report was delayed earlier this year after Alderman Jenny Branch-Allen brought a Supreme Court case, claiming the board had treated her unfairly.

A report had been expected in April.

Chief Justice Alan Blow found in favour of some of Ald Branch-Allen’s claims in June.

Justice Blow ordered that Ald Branch-Allen be presented with any findings against her and be given an opportunity to respond.

The board will then have to consider her response.

The board of inquiry’s terms of reference include investigating compliance with the Local Government Act 1993 by Mayor Kristie Johnston, aldermen and general manager Peter Brooks.

It is also examining governance structures and processes adopted by council since the October 2014 local government elections.

Alderman Johnston was unable to comment on the progress of the report due to a council resolution preventing media comments relating to the board of inquiry.

A board of inquiry report into the Huon Valley Council recommended the dismissal of all nine councillors when it was released in June.

Mr Gutwein instead gave Huon Valley six months to comply with seven ministerial directions.

He dismissed Huon Valley Council this month and appointed an administrator after councillors failed to comply.

Originally published as Board of inquiry draft report to go to Glenorchy aldermen by next month