Former Clarence Valley Deputy Mayor, councillor Greg Clancy says he is relieved a code of conduct complaint against him has been resolved without a sanction being imposed.

At the November 28 Clarence Valley Council CVC meeting, when councillors went into a confidential session to discuss the Code of Conduct complaint, Cr’s Debrah Novak and Karen Toms left the Grafton Chambers.

The meeting minutes show Cr Bill Day moved a motion that was seconded by Cr Jeff Smith that council:

1.Note the supplementary report requested in October 2023.

2.Note the Code of Conduct Reviewers report and the recommendation made.

3.Under clause 7.6 of the procedures, Council does not resolve to adopt the Investigators recommendation to impose a sanction on Councillor Clancy on the basis that the investigator has not substantiated any of the allegations.

4.Under these circumstances, Council’s complaints Coordinator pursuant to clause 7.61 of the procedures, notify the Office of Local Government of Council’s decision and the reasons for it.

The motion was carried four votes to two with Cr’s Steve Pickering and Allison Whaites voting against, and as per section 11.5 of the Code of Meeting Practice their dissenting votes were recorded.

When Cr’s Novak and Tom’s returned to the chambers, council unanimously resolved to make the confidential resolution for the Code of Conduct complaint public.

Cr Clancy said he was confident he did not breach the Code of Conduct.

“Residents who read the Council’s minutes will see that at the November meeting of Council a report was debated in a confidential section of the meeting,” he said.

“The report contained an investigation of a complaint made against me and recommended I be censured for breaching the Councillors Code of Conduct.

“The majority of councillors who were still in the chamber for the confidential session voted not to censure me on the basis that the investigator had not substantiated the allegations.”

Cr Clancy said he is happy that he wasn’t censured.

“I am relieved that a sanction, such as being censured, was not imposed as I am confident that I did not breach the code when I shared some information with other councillors that was relevant to our position as councillors,” he said.

“As councillors we have the legal responsibility of directing and controlling the affairs of the Council. 

“I have always carried out my duties in an honest and diligent manner to the best of my ability.

“My message is let’s get on with the job of making the best decisions for Clarence Valley.”