Restorative practice in council code

Jenny Duncan Photo/File

Restorative practice may now be used to deal with councillors who breach their code of conduct.

The provision is included in a new code that was adopted by the Whanganui District Council on Wednesday.

Where a possible breach is acknowledged by a councillor, the matter will now be dealt with through a restorative practice conference rather than being independently investigated.

However, an independent investigation will still occur where the code breach is not acknowledged.

Shelly Harkness from Restorative Practices Whanganui Trust - the organisation that will run any future conference - said it would bring together two people in a "facilitated, safe, uninterrupted environment" and it was about reducing harm to relationships.

Jenny Duncan Photo/File

Councillor Jenny Duncan supported the change.

"I think there can be a lot of relationship harm done throughout the protracted period of a code of conduct if it continues through - that's not conducive to this council working well together," she said.

The new code was to include an invitation to resign as one option of a penalty for a breach but that was taken out after concerns were raised.

"That's going too far," councillor Rob Vinsen said. "I think inviting a member to resign is totally unnecessary for this process."

He had support from councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan. "It is up to the public every three years to make decisions around their elected members."

The new code passed with more than the 75 per cent majority required.

"I think the introduction of the restorative practices element is fantastic," Mayor Hamish McDouall said.