Otago regional councillors were given a gentle reminder of the council's meeting procedures and protocols, during an extraordinary meeting in Dunedin last night to discuss the councillors' code of conduct.
Members of the public were excluded from the meeting following a vote by councillors. Only chairman Stephen Cairns and Cr Michael Deaker opposed the motion to remove the public.
The extraordinary meeting was held after Crs Bryan Scott and Gerry Eckhoff "ambushed" Mr Cairns earlier this month during a full council meeting when they questioned the appropriateness of him carrying out his role as council chairman and his work as a commercial valuer and property developer.
Following last night's meeting, ORC chief executive Graeme Martin said the meeting was to remind councillors of the correct protocols for council meetings.
Mr Cairns said council staff had investigated Cr Scott and Cr Eckoff's allegations, and all had agreed "to move on and continue business as usual".
