Waikato regional councillors on Thursday 26th May voted to lift a 15-month suspension imposed on elected member and Raglanite Fred Lichtwark.
In February last year Cr Lichtwark was suspended from all committees, subcommittees and other representative roles. However, he remained a member of the full Council which meets monthly and as required, continued to receive agendas and was able to sit in on all formal meetings.
The suspension followed an independent investigation under the Waikato Regional Council Code of Conduct for Elected Members into three complaints of angry and abusive behaviour in November 2020.
Following a review last September the suspension was extended until remedial actions were completed to the satisfaction of the regional council chair.
The matter was brought back to today’s meeting of council by Deputy Chair Kataraina Hodge, who said she felt it was time for it to be discussed again.
In a vote of 10-3, councillors passed a motion to lift the suspensions and sanctions imposed on Cr Lichtwark, enabling him to participate in all council activities including standing committees and workshops. Cr Russ Rimmington abstained from the vote.
Read more at the Raglan 23 website.