qathet Regional District’s board has adopted a new code of conduct policy.
At the July 26 qRD board meeting, directors considered the code of conduct document developed with the assistance of a consultant, which replaces a two-page policy document that had previously been developed by regional directors.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said the motion was to rescind the previous code of conduct and he was very much in support of the initiative.
“The new code of conduct, I like,” said Gisborne. “It has a lot of really good work in it. It can help us work together, move forward and be a guideline for all directors.
“I recall at a previous convention, I think it was the local government leadership academy, a municipal councillor from somewhere on Vancouver Island got up and asked, with all the codes of conduct, if there ever had been a case where there had been censure and things actually got done. It didn’t get a clear answer.”
Gisborne said he had given the matter a lot of thought because he is a bit of a lightning rod, and people contact him and indicate there is controversy in a local government. He said quite often people will ask him the question: who is at fault?
“When I look at it from an outside perspective, quite often, interpersonal issues can be resolved by teamwork,” said Gisborne. “A good team can really bring it together and have strength in diversity and differences.
“Quite often, when you want to build a team, you want to meet frequently. When you come together and build a team, that’s when you can overcome differences.”
Gisborne said he sees this new code of conduct as a mechanism to help guide the board.
“The code of conduct can be two things,” said Gisborne. “It can guide you, or you can use it as a weapon to bash each other over the head. If, at any time, things seem to be coming apart, everyone around the board table should try and work at building a team and getting back together.
“I’ve seen in other communities, where issues don’t get resolved or dealt with, they sprout legs and grow.”
Gisborne said the proposed code provided good guidelines, but it didn’t mean that the regional board stops trying to build a team.
He said the proposed new policy is an improvement on the existing code of conduct.
The board voted unanimously to rescind the former code of conduct and adopt the new policy, which must be signed by each member of the regional district board or a member of a qRD committee or commission.
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