Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry Report to the Minister for Planning and Local Government June 2016 ISBN: Date: Version: Disclaimer for as many lines as needed Epuditis quatis moloreped quam consequi bea quatem. Itatect urepudis maio. Nem fugiant que velis aboreptatque res excea sam, unt, voluptas erum faci reperias de saperfer Dae. Git eius experiaecte de sae conseris ellenis sin coratur magnimo luptatur sae nosam nihilit que del in niendis imagnienimus maionsequia con et voluptatint que ducipiduciis earia a vel ius expediorem inusapi ciliti alite voluptasitas et ea sinia Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry Report to the Minister for Planning and Local Government Author Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry Contact details Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry GPO Box 123 HOBART TAS 7001 Publisher Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry ISBN 978 0 7246 5702 9 Date June 2016 © Crown in Right of the State of Tasmania June 2016 HUON VALLEY COUNCIL BOARD OF INQUIRY Executive Building, 15 Murray Street, HOBART TAS 7000 Australia Postal Address: GPO Box 123, HOBART TAS 7001 Australia Phone: (03) 6232 7022 Fax: (03) 6233 5685 Email: [email protected] 3 June 2016 Minister for Planning and Local Government The Hon Peter Gutwein MP House of Assembly Parliament House HOBART 7000 Dear Minister Gutwein HUON VALLEY COUNCIL BOARD OF INQUIRY REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Pursuant to section 224 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry is pleased to submit its findings and recommendations to you in this report for your consideration. Yours sincerely Mr Michael Stevens Ms Jill Taylor Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry Report to the Minister for Planning and Local Government Huon Valley Council Board of Inquiry Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1. Background ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Establishment of the Board of Inquiry ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2. Membership of the Board ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3. Inquiry process and timeframe ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3.1. Public submissions to the Inquiry ................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3.2. Responses to issues and complaints .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.3. Targeted interviews............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3.4. Timeframe for the Inquiry ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Overview of the Council and region .................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1. History of the Municipality .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2. Demography ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3. About Huon Valley Council ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.1. The Council ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.2. Portfolios ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.3. Council Committees .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.4. Huon Valley Council Commitment ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 3. Good governance ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 4. Key issues and observations ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 4.1. Critical Relationships .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 4.1.1. Mayor and General Manager ....................................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.1.2. Mayor and Councillors .................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 4.1.3. Heart of the Huon............................................................................................................................................................................................. 23 4.1.4. Councillors and staff ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 4.2 Cultural and behavioural concerns ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26 4.2.1. Culture, values and the Council’s commitment ................................................................................................................................. 26 4.2.2 Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 4.2.3. Transparency and accountability ................................................................................................................................................................ 28 4.2.4. Behaviour at council meetings ..................................................................................................................................................................... 32 4.2.5. Workplace health and safety – bullying and harassment .............................................................................................................. 33 4.3. Policy and process issues ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 4.3.1. Communication, consultation and community relations .............................................................................................................. 36 4.3.2. Staffing ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 4.3.3. Conflicts of Interest ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 4.3.4. Portfolio and Committee system .............................................................................................................................................................. 41 4.3.5. Planning ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................