The debate centred around whether or not an item should have been heard “ in committee” or in open council.

According to the Local Government (Meetings) Regulation of 1993, if, in the opinion of the general manager, certain information could be deemed as confidential, then the meeting should be closed to the public – including the media - and the matter heard.

In this case the matter was a complaint by council staff to councils Conduct Committee about one councillor.

Acting general manger Leanne Barnes told the meeting that she decided to have the matter heard in a closed meeting to protect the names of those concerned.

However, a motion was put to have the matter heard in an open forum.

In moving the motion Cr David Hede quoted a section of council’s code of conduct which said that “reports and/or recommendations from the conduct committee are to be presented to an open meeting of the council”.

The motion was seconded by Cr Bill Taylor.

Cr Janette Neilson asked for comments from Ms Barnes, who explained that as there were staff involved in the report, she had decided the matter should not be heard in an open meeting.

Lengthy debate followed where councillors argued about the meaning of the Local Government Act , whether or not it was appropriate for names to be mentioned in an open forum, and that council needed to be careful about how they treated matters such as the one that had arisen.

All councillors offered their opinions after which the mayor called for a vote on the motion.

Crs Hede, Taylor and Skitt voted for, with Crs Aveyard, Neilson, McGill and Allen against.

Cr Fraser Buchanan did not vote.