Council hit by second walkout

THE Glamorgan Spring Bay Council could be on thin ice after three councillors again walked out of a closed meeting because of concerns about a leave of absence application from former mayor Bertrand Cadart.

On September 12 councillors walked out of a closed meeting set up to vote on a sixmonth leave of absence application from Cr Cadart, who has spent time in Queensland since last year.

The walkout meant the council could not vote properly. It is understood councillors were unhappy about the extended absence, which Mayor Michael Kent said was related to a medical certificate from Cr Cadart’s doctor.

The issue was expected to be discussed at a closed meeting last night.

However, the Mercury has been told a councillor raised concerns about the September 12 walkout before last night’s meeting, which offended the councillors who had left the room.

Cr Kent confirmed the same three councillors walked out for the “same reasons” as on September 12.

He would not comment further.

Under the Local Government Regulations 2015, if three consecutive council meetings have been abandoned the general manager is required to report the matter to the Local Government Minister, who can issue a please explain to the council’s mayor and general manager.

If the minister is not satisfied, they can then request a review of the council, which could lead to a Board of Inquiry investigation.