Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll has issued a public apology to council chief executive Ben Gower in the wake of last month’s special council meeting which debated the fate of the Millicent cattle saleyards.

It is the opinion of Mayor Noll that inappropriate behaviour was displayed at that forum and he regrets his inaction as meeting chairman at that time.

He does not identify the alleged offender or offenders but it is believed the actions do not refer to the senior staff or public.

The meeting was held in the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre and was viewed by a public gallery of 45 interested persons mostly associated with the local rural sector.

The Mayoral letter of apology to Mr Gower forms part of the July monthly meeting agenda which is being held in Millicent this afternoon (Tuesday).

It is understood such a public mayoral apology is without precedent in the 26-year history of Wattle Range Council.

The letter of apology is contained within the traditional monthly communications of the mayor which usually contains just his activities and where Mayor Noll has officially represented Wattle Range Council.

It was typed on the official WRC Mayoral letterhead.

“I clearly heard on three separate occasions at the June 29 special saleyards meeting about the Millicent saleyards that you were referred to by name on a personal basis,” Mayor Noll said.

“Within any debate, the matter should have been referenced around the written facts of the motion and not you personally.

“I find this action Ito be disturbing and especially in a public setting.

“Upon reflection, I wish to formally and officially apologise to you for my inattention during the debate process and for not taking action to correct the inappropriate personal reference to you.

“It is imperative for all of us as elected members to understand the chief executive or any of his staff are not to be used to vent ones’ disagreements or dissatisfaction in any form whether it be internal or public.”

It is a council staff recommendation the contents of Mayor Noll’s letter be received and noted.