Gore councillors to decide response to colleague's slur

Gore councillors will decide what action to take against a colleague who used a slur to describe a staff presentation.

Councillor Donna Bruce told councillor Robert McKenzie that a presentation was "gay" in April, in what an independent investigator has deemed a code of conduct breach.

Investigator James Cowan from Anderson Lloyd said Bruce should apologise.

Bruce had previously been warned by mayor Ben Bell to watch her language after what he described as "swearing and being a bit derogatory towards staff".

Cowan also recommended that Bruce and McKenzie, who made the complaint, be invited to take part in voluntary mediation to address an apparent conflict between them.

Bruce did not deny making the comment but told Cowan she could not remember saying it.

She said it had been an extremely stressful and demanding day.

Cowan found the breach was neither significant nor serious, describing Bruce's use of the slur as a one-off incident.

"Using the term 'gay' in the context of a presentation by council staff fails to treat the staff members who created and presented the presentation with respect," he said.

"The comment was discourteous and could be considered to be offensive, such as how it was perceived by Cr McKenzie."

He recommended Bruce apologise to McKenzie and the council's chief executive, with the chief executive to decide whether the apology should be shared with others who attended the workshop.

Cowan's report would be tabled at a Gore District Council meeting on Tuesday, where councillors would be asked to determine an appropriate consequence for Bruce.