Dorset Council Mayor Greg Howard has indicated he plans to step down following the release of a damning report commissioned by the state government.
The lengthy report uncovered significant governance failures, including breaches of the Local Government Act, conflicts of interest and instances of inappropriate conduct.
A total of 19 separate issues were identified, leading to 22 recommendations and 10 ministerial directions from Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent.
Vincent, who inherited control of the local government space from former Minister Nic Street last year, called the findings “serious and not acceptable by any standards”.
The investigation, launched in July 2023 after complaints from councillors and members of the public, involved over 40 interviews and 63 submissions.
It found evidence of improper use of statutory powers, systemic failures to comply with statutory obligations and poor management of conflicts of interest.
The report also highlighted concerns about the conduct of former general manager Tim Watson, who left the council in December 2022, as well as the language and behaviour of Mayor Howard.
Examples of Howard’s “rude” correspondence included internal emails containing lines such as: “Please find attached my answers to that c–kheads questions”, “This cockhead is back” and “Answers to dickheads questions”.
The report further recommended that Watson be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for potential legal action.
Councillors will decide if they want return to their roles by midnight tonight, when Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw’s position will cease.
“Our government is firmly committed to strengthening governance of local councils and have recently proposed a raft of legislative reforms that will deal with governance and conduct challenges, with public consultation now underway,” Vincent said.
