Foxton Community Board Code of Conduct Proceedings

Thursday, 04 March 2010

The inaugural meeting of a subcommittee established to consider a code of conduct complaint against Foxton Community Board chair, Basil Vertongen, was held in Foxton yesterday.

The subcommittee comprises Stan Cull (Chair), Sheila Paddison and Neville Gimblett. They were addressed by Council Chief Executive David Ward, who spoke of the process to follow to ensure a fair and reasonable outcome for all parties involved, the process that could be considered in determining who they wished to seek evidence from and the manner in which that evidence was to be considered.

The subcommittee then heard from Council’s legal advisor, Andrew Cameron, who spoke of the status of the subcommittee, suggested that evidence be requested in written form, and of the process available to Mr Vertongen, who is the subject of the complaint. Mr Cameron advised the subcommittee that whist they are charged with ensuring a prompt response, they must allow sufficient time for natural justice to be served.

Following general discussion on a number of procedural points, the subcommittee resolved to ask Mr Ward to seek written evidence from Councillor David Allan, who raised a notice of motion in respect to the code of conduct matter, and from Councillor Anne Hunt. The subcommittee will reserve the right to call for evidence from other parties.

It is expected that evidence received will be considered by the subcommittee at a meeting to be held during the week beginning 22 March 2010.