The seven elected representatives had an important step to take before officially becoming councillors: sign the code of conduct.
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They all promised to abide by the code, which states councillors must always show integrity and “treat others honestly, fairly and consistently”.
It was put in place to avoid a repeat of the previous Wangaratta Council, which was sacked in 2013 due to dysfunction and infighting.
Mayor Ken Clarke told The Border Mail signing the code was a positive step.
“The code of conduct allows for one councillor to be suspended or dismissed whereas before we couldn’t do that – the whole council had to be sacked,” he said.
The code of conduct allows for one councillor to be suspended or dismissed whereas before we couldn’t do that.
- Mayor Ken Clarke
“Some of the councillors were excellent, but the rule was everybody had to go, that was disappointing.”
The code was introduced by administrators in May as part of their preparations to hand control back to elected representatives.
About 100 people packed into Wangaratta Council Chambers to witness the big occasion.
Meanwhile, Cr Don Firth has been elected Benalla mayor and said his priorities were the fundamentals of roads, rates and rubbish.
