'Traumatic time': Gore's councillors discussed 'vote of no confidence' in Ben Bell

Friday, 31 March 2023

Gore District mayor Ben Bell won’t comment about the fact his councillors have discussed a vote of no confidence in him, even though no vote took place.

Bell is just six months into his three-year-term as mayor of the Gore district, but the fact that councillors have even thought about a vote of no confidence in his leadership already, doesn’t appear to have phased him.

“I wasn’t in the room at the time and I don’t know what was said, so I can’t comment on it, or how it makes me feel,’’ he said.

Most councillors were putting on a united front of support for Bell, but one said it was a ‘’very traumatic time’’ for the council.

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They also support council chief executive Stephen Parry, who said on Thursday that his relationship with Bell was ‘’very strained.’’

A Department of Internal Affairs spokesperson said the department was aware of the situation and was keeping an eye on it.

Gore District councillor Richard McPhail has confirmed he will be the intermediary between mayor Ben Bell and council chief executive Stephen Parry, subject to council approval. (File photo)

“We are likely to reach out to the council as we would to any council with significant adverse media,’’ the spokesperson said.

But councillors are remaining tight-lipped about the ‘no confidence’ discussion.

Gore district mayor Ben Bell and his new deputy mayor, Keith Hovell.

One resolution passed unanimously at the meeting was that a councillor will be appointed as a “dedicated intermediary between the mayor and chief executive for governance and relevant operational matters”.

Cr Richard McPhail has confirmed he will be the intermediary between the pair, subject to council approval.

“I can confirm that I am the councillor that will assist, but that is still up to having that appointment ratified at the April council meeting,’’ he said.

“I believe it's in the best interests of the Gore community and the council and this is a step forward.’’

McPhail, who was formerly Gore’s senior police officer and was awarded a QSM for services to the police and the community, said the council was still working on the terms of reference and what the position would entail.

When asked how he would have voted had a vote of no confidence gone ahead in Tuesday’s meeting, McPhail said, ‘’I believe in a functioning council.’’

Gore District mayor Ben Bell and councillors

Deputy mayor Keith Hovell said ‘’next question’’ when asked how he would have voted.

When asked if he supported the mayor, he said, ‘’the mayor and the councillors were all elected by the community, and collectively and individually I support them in their roles.’’

Cr John Gardyne said there was a discussion about a vote of no confidence in the mayor at the meeting, but because it was held in-committee he would not discuss it.

He wouldn’t say which way he would have voted, but said he still supported the mayor.

Gardyne said he was concerned about the relationship between Bell and Parry.

Gore mayor Ben Bell after the Gore District Council statutory meeting

“They should be able to get on a bit better. There’s fault on both sides I would say, but that’s all I’m saying.’’

Cr Bret Highsted, who has had his own battles with Bell, said he would not comment on which way he would have voted.

When asked if he was concerned about the breakdown in communication between Bell and Parry, he said “I’m not going into this one.’’

Cr Neville Phillips wouldn’t comment on which way he would have voted, but said he still supported Bell.

“I still support the mayor, very much so. We’re all together on this,’’ he said.

Cr Paul McPhail said he had been told by council staff not to comment on the situation, so he wouldn’t say how he would vote, but when asked if he supported the mayor he said, ‘’absolutely”.

“That’s my only comment,’’ he said.

Cr Joe Stringer also wouldn’t comment on how he would vote, but said he supported both Bell and Parry.

“It’s between them though, and I won’t comment on that.’’

Cr Stewart MacDonell, who was Bell’s first choice as deputy mayor before he was replaced by Keith Hovell, also wouldn’t comment on the vote.

He simply replied ‘’yes’’ when asked if he still supported the mayor.

Councillor Glenys Dickson wouldn’t comment on her vote, but said Bell was elected by the Gore district, and so was she, so yes, she supported the mayor.

“It’s very traumatic time at the moment, but we’ll get there,’’ she said.

Cr Bronwyn Reid did not return a call for comment, and Cr Robert McKenzie was unable to be contacted.