Walkout raises red flag

Tensions bubble over Cadart’s extended council absence

GLAMORGAN Spring Bay council could be on track for a “please explain” from the State Government after a councillor walkout.

A closed meeting was held on September 12 to discuss only an application for a leave of absence by Councillor, and former mayor, Bertrand Cadart, who has spent time in Queensland since last year.

The Mercury was told that when it was time to vote on the application, several councillors got up and left the room, rendering the council unable to properly vote on it.

It is understood they are unhappy about Cr Cadart’s extended absence.

More failed meetings could prompt a Local Government Board investigation.

The issue is expected to be discussed at a full meeting today at the council’s Triabunna offices.

The council’s general manager David Metcalf, responding to questions about whether the leave of absence listed on the agenda related to Cr Cadart and whether Cr Cadart was living in Queensland, said the meeting was confidential and so were its minutes.

The Mercury rang the Tas- manian phone number provided for Cr Cadart on the Glamorgan Spring Bay website but it was disconnected.

His mobile number listed on the website also did not ring.

However, when the Mercury rang a Queensland landline number, the message bank recording was from a Bertrand who had a French accent.

Earlier this year, Cr Cadart said he was in Queensland helping his daughter who had recently had a baby.

The Mercury has seen emails between Glamorgan Spring Bay councillors and ratepayers, in which councillors acknowledge Cr Cadart was travelling from Queensland to council meetings and say that he was fully funding those trips.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Michael Kent did not return calls.

Under the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, if three consecutive council meetings have been abandoned the general manager is required to report the matter to the Local Government Minister.

If this occurs, the minister can issue a please explain to the council’s mayor and general manager. If not satisfied with this, he can then request a review of the governance and operations of the council.

This could then lead to a Board of Inquiry investigation.