Margot Giblin

Some people are worth asking questions.

Mr Brent Armstrong, General Manager of the Hobart City Council, is one of them.

Today’s questions were:
Q: Which of your divisions would advise on Climate Change, given that representors have started referring to it in their objections to developments?

A: Development and Environment Services, led by Mr Neil Noye. They are in the process of preparing a report on the subject which will be coming up to Council soon.

Q: If one alderman were to sue another alderman over an incident which took place in Council time would the Hobart City Council pay any of their costs?

A: No.

Q: Who, in relation to the Hobart City Council, is the prescribed person referred to in the Local Government Act Section 28 J ?

A: The Director of Local Government, Marguerite Scott.

( The Local Government Act 1993, By Laws and Regulations, Section 28 J Incapacity states:

A prescribed person may apply to a magistrate for an order that a councilor is unable to perform or exercise adequately or competently the functions or powers of a councillor due to the physical or mental incapacity of the councillor.

If the magistrate grants the order:
a) the councilor is removed from office from the date of the order
and
b) the office of the councilor is vacant at that date.)

Q: What is a quorum for a full Council meeting?

A: Seven. This is half the number of councilors, plus one, whether they are attending the meeting or not.

Q: Can I have a copy of the Aldermanic Code of Conduct?

A: Yes.

This code is as light in the hand as it is on some councillors’ minds.

A couple of extracts follow:

‘The Aldermen identify their primary responsibility is to their local community, which has placed its trust in the Aldermen by electing them to office.’

‘Our community is entitled to expect that the business of Council will be conducted
• with efficiency, impartiality, honesty and integrity
• within the spirit and letter of all relevant laws; and
• in the best interests of the community.’

‘This code of conduct is a statement of the standard of behaviour that Aldermen have agreed should be demonstrated, and which the community can expect to be demonstrated, when they are carrying out their roles and functions.’

‘An Alderman should respect the role of others in the workplace.’

NB: The Aldermanic Code of Conduct was adopted by Council at its meeting on 26 June 2006 which means that all those aldermen now on Council contributed to it.

Thank you, Mr Armstrong.