CITY of Greater Bendigo councillor Lisa Ruffell is considering her options following reports a leaked confidential document recommended she make a public apology to two fellow councillors.
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A state government appointed Councillor Conduct Panel interviewed Cr Ruffell and councillors Elise Chapman and Helen Leach late last year after complaints were made about Cr Ruffell's handling of concerns made by Amicus.
Amicus wrote to Cr Ruffell with concerns about the councillors' attitudes during an event in Hargreaves Mall.
The Bendigo Advertiser understands the report said an apology was necessary, but there was no requirement for it to be public.
However, Cr Ruffell is still able to appeal the decision and is considering her options.
"The copy of the report l received was provided to me on a confidential basis,'' she said.
"Therefore, l do not believe it is appropriate for me to comment further on it at this stage.
"l will say, though, that this matter has not necessarily been concluded and l am considering my options."
City of Greater Bendigo chief executive officer Craig Niemann will look into how the private and confidential report was leaked before the matter had concluded.
Under the Local Government Act, conduct panels are required to provide copies to the parties involved, the Minister for Local Government and the council.
There were three parties involved - councillor Ruffell and councillors Elise Chapman and Helen Leach.
Additional copies were then provided to mayor Barry Lyons and the CEO.
Other City of Greater Bendigo councillors had not yet been made aware of the confidential details of the report.
Mr Niemann said while he could not comment on the details of the report, it was intended to help resolve an issue between councillors.
"Confidentiality enables council to determine whether the matter would be best served by dealing with it ‘in house’ or whether resolution would be better served by releasing the findings,'' he said.
"I will be making inquiries into how the report was made public in this way.''
The leaking of confidential reports is a breach of the Councillors' Code of Conduct and such breaches can be heard by a conduct panel if reported.
Consequences are determined by the panel in accordance with the Local Government Act.
The state government has been notified of the leak. and asked for comment.
Crs Chapman and Leach declined to comment. Comment was also sought from the state government.
