West Coast Regional Council: Cr Andy Campbell (Westland), left, Cr Peter Ewen (Grey), Cr Peter Haddock (Westland), chief executive Heather Mabin, Cr Allan Birchfield (Grey), Cr Frank Dooley (Buller), Cr Mark McIntyre (Buller), Cr Brett Cummings (Grey). Photo: Brendon McMahon/Greymouth Star
A West Coast regional councillor has been removed from all committees and told to apologise after breaching the council's code of conduct.
Two code of conduct complaints against councillors have been investigated by independent barristers, and were resolved during a council meeting on Tuesday.
The first complaint was from councillor Alan Birchfield, who alleged he had been assaulted by councillor Frank Dooley during a meeting in May.
West Coast Regional Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the investigation found there was no assault and he was grateful for Dooley's cooperation throughout the process.
Alan Birchfield Photo: LDR / Supplied
"I would like to acknowledge the impact that this allegation has had on Councillor Dooley and note that this outcome clears his name as no wrongdoing occurred," Haddock said.
During the investigation, Dooley made a complaint about Birchfield leaking confidential information to the media.
Haddock said the subsequent investigation found he did leak the information on the balance of probability, breaching the council's code of conduct.
"As councillors we are disappointed that these events have occurred, however we have acted decisively and within the power available to us. Actions such as these are unacceptable."
Frank Dooley Photo: Supplied
The council resolved to remove Birchfield from all committees and public-excluded parts of the committees until the council was satisfied that trust had been restored, Haddock said.
"Under the Local Government Act, councillors are unable to remove Councillor Birchfield from council as he has been democratically elected.
"The member must also agree to cease the behaviour and tender an apology to previous chief executive, Heather Mabin."
