A GAWLER councillor says allegations of misconduct made toward CEO Henry Inat via a recent union survey “must be investigated immediately” – in the best interest of staff and council’s top employee.
Cr Ian Tooley failed in his attempt to move a motion without notice at last night’s special council meeting regarding the allegations of bullying and intimidation toward Gawler Council staff by Mr Inat.
The five-point motion included recommendations to initiate a formal and third-party investigation into the allegations and to seek advice on how the independent investigation could be managed.
Gawler Mayor Karen Redman told The Bunyip she had invited Cr Tooley to present his proposed motion to the July 28 council meeting.
However, Cr Tooley rejected the invitation, saying the matter was “too urgent” to leave.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations made against CEO Inat, and the damaging affect that these allegations and their coverage in the media is having on council, and on all concerned, you for one, as Mayor and Presiding Member, should be leading the charge to have this matter urgently investigated, not putting up roadblocks,” he said in an email to Ms Redman.
“To not investigate would be to deny CEO Inat natural justice and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty; would be a dereliction of duty by council/the elected body; and would be to deny ToG staff their right to be heard.”
Ms Redman reaffirmed her decision to encourage the motion at council’s July 28 meeting.
“A motion on notice cannot be presented to the special council meeting as council’s order of business for special council meetings does not facilitate for motions on notice,” she said.
“Further, motions on notice were not listed in the list of agenda items provided to the CEO when the special meeting was called.”
Similarly, Cr Paul Little “respectfully” urged Ms Redman, via email, to allow the motion.
“I like Ian, Jim, (and) Nathan think this motion should go ahead,” he said.
“The feedback that I am getting from ratepayers is getting quite alarming.
“I also think for the CEO to have it over and done with is paramount, so he is able move on and so can council.”
Cr Nathan Shanks echoed support for the motion to be presented at last night’s meeting.
“Given the seriousness of this item and given the multiple articles that seem to keep on coming, sitting on this until the end of the month would (in my opinion) be ill advised,” he said.
“Especially when we are running out of time so regularly at ordinary council meetings, history shows we potentially may not even get to motions on notice at the end of the month.”
Cr Tooley reiterated the motion would not only benefit the 59 council staff surveyed, but Mr Inat.
“If the allegations are found to be untrue or unsubstantiated, then we owe it to CEO Inat to run such allegations to ground and to assist in exonerating him and clearing his name,” he said.
“If the allegations are found to be true, then CEO Inat must be held to account.”
Member for Light Tony Piccolo said he would also support such an investigation.
“While I do not know if these allegations are accurate or not, these types of allegations need to be put to rest one way or the other,” he said.
“They either need to be shown not to be accurate and thus help restore some of council’s reputation, or if they have some substance to them, it empowers council to take appropriate action.
“Left unresolved they fester and help create a more undesirable organisational culture.We do not want Gawler to gain a reputation as a ‘toxic town’.
“Sadly, the good things council is doing are been overshadowed by ongoing management/leadership issues.”
Meanwhile, Ms Redman said she had spoken to Mr Inat about the allegations.
“After receiving councillor Tooley’s motion, I have spoken to the CEO who refutes the comments made in the ASU (Australian Services Union) survey,” she said.
“The Town of Gawler has clear policies setting expectations for staff conduct, along with a clear process for making a complaint.
“This is the process I use if I receive a complaint and I would encourage others to do the same.”
