By Raquel Mustillo
A COUNCIL meeting called to address code of conduct issues within Grant District Council was partly in response to claims staff members were “harassed” and in some cases “bullied, disrespected and unsupported” in interactions with mayor Richard Sage.
The recording, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reveals a number of allegations relating to Mr Sage’s behaviour towards council staff, including “abusing” former chief executive officer David Singe and other employees.
Held in February 2019, the meeting was called to address code of conduct matters following a hazard report lodged with council regarding alleged behaviours towards staff.
AUDIO RELEASED: The State s Ombudsman has ordered the released of a audio recording from a tense council meeting called amid ongoing concerns linked to behavioural breaches and the relationship between Grant District mayor Richard Safe and then chief executive officer David Singe.
By Raquel Mustillo
GRANT District Council has lost a 19-month battle to keep an audio recording of a controversial council meeting secret after the state’s ombudsman rejected an argument that the release of the document could cause difficulties within the organisation.
South Australian Ombudsman Wayne Lines has ordered council to hand over a recording of a special council meeting held in February 2019 to discuss “code of conduct” matters and a cultural review of the organisation.