GLOVES ON, GATES OUT

DONNA Gates has quit as the deputy chair of council’s powerful planning committee, igniting fireworks between rival councillors at a dramapacked council meeting.

Just 24 hours after councillors were given a private briefing about sweeping legal reforms following the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra, Mayor Tom Tate was forced to review his committee structure.

The shuffle sparked a fiery exchange between the Mayor and veteran councillor Dawn Crichlow, who said “you’ve insulted me for the last time” and accused him of organising “secret meetings” with his leadership group.

DONNA Gates has quit as the deputy chair of council’s powerful planning committee, igniting fireworks between rival councillors during a dramapacked meeting.

Just 24 hours after councillors were given a private briefing about sweeping legal reforms following the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra, Mayor Tom Tate was forced to re- view his committee structure.

The Bulletin can reveal councillors had been given a briefing by CEO Dale Dickson and the City Solicitor David Montgomery on how meetings would be impacted by the new State Government legislation.

Under the committee changes, Cr Gates will move to transport and newcomer Gail O’Neill will take her deputy spot on planning.

Cr Tate yesterday put forward a vote on Cr Gates leaving the committee, which led to:

● Cr William Owen-Jones arguing Cr Gates should remain on the committee where for 11 years she had shown “an incredible amount of integrity”.

● Cr Gates wiping tears from her eyes as she confirmed her decision to resign from the committee because making declarations would waste time and delay decision making.

● Earlier accepting a position on the planning committee position, Cr Dawn Crichlow engaged in a stand-up argument with the Mayor after learning rookie councillor Gail O’Neill had the deputy role.

● The Mayor struggled to stop Cr Crichlow who told him “you’ve insulted me for the last time” and accused him of organising “secret meetings” with his leadership group.

● Planning committee chair Cameron Caldwell accused Cr Crichlow of grandstanding.

● A majority of councillors voted to remove Cr Crichlow from the planning committee for Cr Glenn Tozer.

Outside the meeting, Cr Gates denied she stood down from the committee because the Crime and Corruption Commission was circling city hall.

“I have absolutely no guilt associated with any part of my representation in this city for 11 years,” she said.

State Parliament this month passed new laws in the wake of Operation Belcarra which was sparked by the 2016 council election.

Cr Gates declared $174,000 in election campaign donations, with about $80,000 from property developers. She maintains her war chest was less due to the cost of staging functions.

In a sign that more councillors will leave the chamber, Cr Tozer removed himself yesterday because he had been given a gift of swimming lessons from an aquatic centre which bid for council contracts.

Cr Hermann Vorster and Cr Peter Young also left after being gifted entertainment tickets.