HORSHAM’S mayor has warned she will call on police intervention if councillors or members of the public gallery are disrespectful.
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Pam Clarke opened Monday night’s meeting with a prepared statement.
She said some councillors were behaving in a manner that was an occupational health and safety issue. She said personal comments and criticisms, bullying or intimidation would not be tolerated.
“From now on I will be working to ensure that we are a place of respect, a place of free flowing ideas and debate on issues – not attacks on the person,” she said. “Any diversion from respectful behaviour will be met with sanctions.”
Cr Clarke said her statement was in line with local government rules.
“The chairperson may order an authorised officer or police to remove any person including a councillor who disrupts any meeting or otherwise affects the business of that meeting or fails to comply with direction,” she said.
“Any person including a councillor who has been called to order by the chairperson and fails to comply with the chairpersons directions will be found guilty of an offence under local law governance for failure to comply with direction – the penalty is 10 penalty units that is a monetary fine.
“Should disorder escalate, the chairperson may ask to remove any person from the room in which the meeting of council or special council committee is held, if the chairperson determines the person is behaving in an improper and disorderly manner or interrupting or the order of the meeting.”
Cr Clarke said she would not accept any motion, question or statement that was inflammatory or embarrassing to council staff or residents.
“I commit to (councillors) my pledge to ensure (they) leave this chamber with the feeling of achievement and confidence that we have debate the issues with integrity and respect,” she said. “My role as mayor is to protect the integrity of the decision making process and chamber and the health and well-being of every person here.”
Following her statement Cr Clarke denied councillor David Grimble’s request to ask a question saying they were not in the general meeting.
Later, in his report, Cr John Robinson reminded Cr Clarke that she needed to abide by the same respectful behaviour.