York council could probe former chief
The Shire of York will consider an investigation into allegations of misconduct against its former chief executive and two serving councillors.
A report commissioned by the shire and distributed to councillors yesterday recommended former chief executive Ray Hooper, who resigned in April, be asked to explain or clarify claims made by ratepayers and a former councillor that his conduct between 2008 and this year contravened the public sector's code of ethics.
It also recommended former shire presidents Pat Hooper and Tony Boyle, both serving councillors, be asked to explain allegations that they contravened the Local Government Act and the shire's code of conduct during the same period.
Another seven people - former presidents, deputy presidents and councillors - were named in the report, with the recommendation they be asked to answer allegations that they failed to fulfil their oversight responsibility and investigate claims against Ray Hooper.
The report, written by industrial relations management strategist Mike Fitz Gerald after interviewing complainants, did not conclude whether the allegations were accurate but recommended they be investigated.
Mr Hooper strongly denied the allegations. He told The Weekend West many of the claims were easily disprovable and he was disappointed they were in the report.
The report includes allegations that individuals who made complaints about or challenged Mr Hooper or the council were liable to be visited by a shire ranger or a health or building inspector with complaints about their pets or threats of legal action.
Shire president Matthew Reid said the report was commissioned because of "continuous complaints from numerous members of the community which remained unanswered".
He said it would be up to the council to decide whether the shire followed the report's recommendations to ask Mr Hooper and others to answer the claims against them.
