CLASH A GUIDE TO FUTURE CONFLICTS

THE revisit of the Bruce Bishop Car Park debate late at Tuesday’s full council meeting is a pointer to the future of council politics.

Mayor Tom Tate exited the meeting and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates took the chair when council CEO Dale Dickson revealed he had sought advice from the Local Government Minister about conflicts of interest.

Planning chair Cameron Caldwell, a lawyer, began intense questioning of the CEO, upset that councillors had not been informed about the emails.

“I also question how we perhaps deal with this in the future if it was to occur. There would be no reason why a procedural motion couldn’t be dealt with to direct you to seek that clarification or that order under the section of the Local Government Act,” he said.

“I don’t know at what point you can just write to the Local Government Minister in the way that you have.”

Cr Caldwell has been touted as a future mayor and if this exchange offers a guide, there would be a clear divide with elected councillors directing the administration.