Suspended mayor's return to work date revealed

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council Mayor Cheryl Arnol will return to work in late August after being suspended from duties for one month due to a code of conduct finding.

The complaint focused on the way Ms Arnol handled a workers’ compensation claim brought about by former General Manager Greg Ingham.

Fellow councillor Rob Churchill made the complaint, involving allegations of a conflict of interest, which prompted an investigation by an independent panel.

Mr Ingham lodged his workers’ compensation claim based on his inability to work due to ``workplace harassment/unsustainable relationship’’ with Ms Arnol.

Ms Arnol said the whole process made her feel like she was ``the accused in a murder trial’’.

She argued the complaint was triggered by her not agreeing to Mr Ingham request to terminate his contract and be paid four to five months' severance pay.

Cr Churchill submitted a complaint in October last year alleging the Mayor should not have been part of the management of the claim.

The independent panel found Ms Arnol had a conflict of interest and failed to fully understanding the meaning of a conflict of interest.

Cr Churchill urged the panel to suspend Ms Arnol for three months but it determined this should only be four weeks.

In accepting the findings Ms Arnol said she found the whole process adversarial.

``Because of the nature of the workers’ compensation complaint I don't believe I was able to offer a proper defence for myself due to the confidentiality of the employee matter and my inability to release the statements that relate to the insurance claim,’’ Ms Arnol told Council in July.

``My husband has been on this journey with me of threats, bullying, intimidation and coercion based on a litany of disinformation and to his dismay, I chose not to spend upwards of $10,000 to appeal it.

``I had blind-faith in a system that would perceive that I had acted with integrity throughout the whole process of the employee matter and the code of conduct.

``That was not to be, and a panel of learned people perceived that I was incompetent in assessing conflict of interest particularly perceived conflict.

``Reference is made in this determination to a previous conflict of interest code that was lodged against me. In around 25 years on this Council, I have been subjected to three codes of conduct. ``I am hardly a serial offender, but the panel has somehow perceived that I am and I should be taught a lesson.

``I felt threatened in the panel hearing by the questioning but that was brushed off as acceptable because I received an apology from the panel member concerned. Whether my answers were clear enough or not, is no excuse for the line of questioning that made me feel like the accused in a murder trial.

``I have reluctantly accepted this determination and the resultant characterisation of the panel that I am unable to determine a conflict of interest.

``As stated earlier, I will serve the suspension from the close of business today. I know that I acted with integrity over the past 12 months, and I am sorry to disappoint those who have worked hard to have me leave the role of Mayor, but I intend to apply the principles in a favourite saying of a friend when I return on 22 August - No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up! Thank you’’.

Cr Churchill and Mayor Arnol were approached for comment but declined.