Nearly half of Dunedin's councillors barred from censure vote against fellow councillor

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Six Dunedin City councillors will be unable to speak and vote on whether to censure a fellow councillor after he yelled at the deputy mayor.

Outspoken councillor Lee Vandervis may be asked to resign over a Code of Conduct matter that will be discussed by the council on Tuesday.

However, six councillors who witnessed the incident, including three who lodged an official complaint, would not be allowed to speak or vote on the matter, after the council received legal advice on the matter.

Vandervis – who allegedly finger pointed and yelled at deputy mayor Christine Garey after a city council meeting on July 28 - will have the opportunity to address the council.

A decision would then be made on whether a breach of the Code of Conduct had occurred and, if so, the resulting penalty.

Penalties could include a letter of censure, a request for an apology, a vote of no confidence, a loss of privileges, suspension from committees, and an invitation to resign.