Councillor Jon Raven declared a conflict of interest at last week’s ordinary council meeting, which has ruled him out of a future development application vote.
He declared a prescribed conflict of interest because two doners from his 2024 council election campaign have submitted a development application to council.
“… both [doners] have exceeded the $2000 threshold for a prescribed conflict of interest,” Cr Raven said at the meeting.
“Because it is a prescribed conflict of interest, I acknowledge that I cannot take place in any decisions, meetings, workshops or briefings in respect to this matter.
“I cannot seek to influence any other persons in this matter, and I will be excluded from the meeting while this matter is discussed.”
Cr Raven told MyCityLogan that conflicts of interest were virtually impossible to avoid as a councillor.
“It’s a good thing, because it means you’re connected to the community,” he said.
“There are many different reasons why it can happen – usually it’s because you have relationships with someone, which is normal.
“You’re going to have friends, or business associates or family members.”
Cr Raven said a councillor can either declare a relationship and let other councillors determine whether it’s a conflict, or declare it and remove themselves voluntarily, as he did.
