Derwent Valley councillor Paul Belcher resigns after disciplinary action for unlawfully operating a pizza shop

A councillor who was disciplined for bringing the council into disrepute by unlawfully operating a business has resigned to concentrate on his next business venture. LATEST >>

DERWENT Valley Councillor Paul Belcher has quit his role, two weeks after it was revealed he faced disciplinary action over an issue with his pizza shop in New Norfolk.

Mr Belcher announced to his Facebook followers on Wednesday that he had tendered his resignation as a councillor.

“It has been in the wings for the last six months and not a decision I have taken lightly,” Mr Belcher wrote.

“I thank those that supported me and for reaching out when you needed a helping hand, I’ve always had the community’s best interests at heart.

“I need to concentrate on my personal life and my business and my next business venture.

“I know a lot will be upset with my decision and some will be delighted but think it’s best for myself at this time to call it a day while my humour is still in tack (sic).”

Paul Belcher at the vote count at the last election in 2018. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Last month, it was revealed in a council meeting agenda that Mr Belcher had been issued a performance improvement direction by Local Government Minister Roger Jaensch for failing to comply with the council’s code of conduct.

The direction said Mr Belcher was granted a planning permit in February 2019 to fit out the store and the following month he was told the business was not approved to open.

Mr Belcher opened his business, Pauly’s Pizza, the next day and was issued an infringement notice two months later.

An investigation launched by the director of local government found he brought the council into disrepute by operating his business unlawfully.

Mr Belcher’s resignation from council comes a week after former mayor Martyn Evans was dismissed from the council he had served on for 16 years.

It came after he missed three meetings in a row, two of which he said were out of his control – one for a Covid test and the other to attend the funeral of a family member on the day of a meeting.

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‘Draconian’: Council veteran dumped after 16 years

A FORMER Derwent Valley mayor has been dismissed from the council he has served on for 16 years, after a funeral and a Covid test resulted in him missing three meetings in a row.

Martyn Evans was ejected due to a requirement of the Local Government Act that elected members cannot miss more than three meetings in a row.

Local Government Association of Tasmania CEO Dion Lester said it was a rule that applied to all councils.

Mr Evans missed meetings on August 26, September 23 and October 28.

“Basically, I attended the last council meeting (November 25),” Mr Evans said.

“A member of the public, coincidentally an ex-councillor, asked the question of the general manger about an elected member missing three meetings.

“I made the statement during question time to clarify who it was and asked them to contact the minster.”

Former councillor Martyn Evans has been dismissed from council after missing three meetings. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Mr Evans said he would have liked some understanding around the circumstances of his absence.

“I’d given three apologies,” he said.

“Two were out of my control, being the Covid test and the death of a family member where I had to attend the funeral that day.

“The third was a meeting with my biggest client, which wasn’t planning in advance, I couldn’t request a leave of absence.”

He said the situation had left him in disbelief.

“It is quite draconian in that sense that they’d enforce it,” Mr Evans said.

“I attended all the workshops and actively contributed during the course of those three months.

“Elected members can break the law ... they can verbally abuse people in a council chamber and not be dismissed, it’s astounding.”

Mr Evans said he was seeking clarification from Local Government Minister Roger Jaensch.

“We’ll see what the minister has to say, if there will be an exemption,” he said.

“Whatever the decision is, I’ll accept it.”

Mr Evans said he intended for the term to be his last on council but was disappointed he was unable to finish what he started.

“I would have liked to have bowed out in the traditional way after my term,” he said.

“When I commit to things I like to complete them, and there’s still more work to do for our ratepayers.”

The former councillor said he was proud of the work he had done on council.

“Looking back on my 16 years, I think there’s been a significant change,” he said.

“The good parts are the things you can do within the community and being a custodian, that’s why you do it, to better the area you live in.

“I can walk away proud of what’s happened in this community.”