Greenwood City Council issued a statement following an in-camera meeting on Monday, March 10 meant to explain recent actions taken against one of their own.
During an in-camera meeting last month Councillor Barry Noll was removed as the city’s representative at the regional district table. Minutes released from that meeting alleged Noll had violated section 117 of the Community Charter, “Duty to respect confidentiality”
At the end of the February 24th regular meeting of council Noll informed council that he would no longer attend in-camera meetings without legal representation.
On February 27th the Times ran an editorial asking council to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the allegations.
The following is the press release issued by Greenwood Council.
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The City of Greenwood is appalled that we had to take such punitive action against a fellow councillor. In regards to the BCT editorial dated February 27th we offer this official statement.
Councillor Barry Noll was relieved of his seat at the regional District of Kootenay Boundary as a result of the following information:
- Acting without authority of council.
- Several Breaches of Confidentiality.
- Composing a document of his revelations containing pertinent information that was discussed at a closed meeting of Council and ridiculing council members how they voted while records show it was a unanimous vote of all council members, Councillor Noll included.
- Releasing the document to a member of the public without authorization.
- Releasing pertinent information not yet disclosed to public.
- Placing his document in a confidential file at city hall without authorization and resolution of council.
- Council was advised and received a copy of the document through a third party (also a member of the public).
- Councillor Noll denied releasing the document to a member of the public when confronted by council. Councillor Noll later admitted to his wrongdoing once he saw council had proof.
- Councillor Noll made contact with an outside party without council’s authority.
Councillor Noll has violated his oath of office, the Community Charter… rules that govern municipalities and our own procedures bylaw. These rules that govern all municipalities in BC are in place not only to protect elected officials but the public as well.
“This council will not be hindered by Councillor Noll or his attorney in fulfilling our roles as duly elected officials.”
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Noll was present at neither the in-camera nor the regular meeting on March 10, however he did issue a statement the following afternoon.
“I am shocked at the allegations in the council’s public statement. In this matter council did not follow their own written policies and procedures. I was excluded from due process and was not invited to the in-camera meeting Monday night. I will make a public statement after I discuss [this] with legal counsel.”
“It is not my intention to relinquish my responsibilities for the good of the City of Greenwood.”
Mayor Nipper Kettle told the Times it had been a unanimous vote of council. “It is unfortunate that it came down to this,” said Kettle.
“Nobody on this council enjoyed the process. It was a very hard thing for us to make up our minds to do - yet at the same time we have a community to protect.
“If Barry [Noll] wants to stay out of in-camera meetings – I find it very sad that a councillor would try to do something like that on his own – you are elected to serve the people. No matter what the rationale I find it very sad that he would take himself out of any in-camera meetings like that.”
“You are elected by the people and all you have to do is abide by the rules that govern the municipality,” said Kettle.
