Frankston City Council & Cr S Hughes (IAP 2022-21)

Published on 27 January 2023

In June 2022, Frankston City Council resolved to bring an application for an arbitration process under section 143 of the Local Government Act alleging multiple acts of misconduct by Councillor Steven Hughes.

The findings will be tabled at the next Council Meeting on 30 January 2023 and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

The Arbiter has determined that the Respondent, Cr Steven Hughes, has breached the prescribed Standards of Conduct included in section 2 of the Frankston City Council Councillor Code of Conduct 2021 in relation to four of the eight allegations, and has made a finding of misconduct in respect of these breaches.

The decision has resulted in Cr Steven Hughes being suspended for a period one (1) calendar month effective from the day following the Council meeting, being 31 January 2023.

The Arbiter has also directed Cr Hughes to apologise to Council Officers in regards to a previous matter. 

During the term of his suspension, Cr Steven Hughes will not have access to Council resources, nor will he receive Councillor remuneration entitlements.

Council will continue to work in the best interests of the Frankston City community in the absence of Cr Steven Hughes.