Hobart deputy mayor snack matter referred to police

Hobart Deputy Mayor Zelinda Sherlock has admitted to taking snacks and drinks from a council lounge over several years, with several of her colleagues calling on her to resign over the matter, despite Cr Sherlock apologising and saying she misunderstood council policy. The minutes of a closed meeting held on Monday reveal the council has voted to refer the matter to Tasmania Police and the director of local government, because of "the ongoing public interest in the matter [and] the importance of maintaining confidence in local government". What's next? Cr Sherlock vowed this week she would not be resigning from the council over the matter. Hobart's city council has voted to refer the matter concerning its deputy lord mayor and the taking home of snacks to police and the director of local government. Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock took home snacks and drinks meant to be consumed in the council's Elected Members' Lounge on multiple occasions, something which she has apologised for, saying she misunderstood the policy. In newly released minutes from Monday's closed-door meeting, councillors voted 5 to 3 in favour of writing to the director of local government and Tasmania Police, noting that the council "makes no finding concerning the conduct of any person while those independent processes remain incomplete". CCTV to be provided to police In his letter to the Office of Local Government and Tasmania Police, City of Hobart chief executive Michael Stretton said "notwithstanding previous consideration by Tasmania Police, the Office of Local Government and independent legal advisers, differing views continue to exist regarding both the conduct itself and the adequacy of the City of Hobart's response". "Given those differing views, the ongoing public interest in the matter, the importance of maintaining confidence in local government governance arrangements, and consistent with the Council's direction, I respectfully refer this matter for any further consideration your offices consider appropriate." Mr Stretton said the council would "continue to make available any additional records, correspondence, file notes, CCTV material, legal advice, council reports and supporting documentation should they be requested". On Friday, Councillor Louise Elliot, who has repeatedly called for Cr Sherlock to step down, said "all I have wanted is for the proper authorities … to have every snippet of evidence and for the council to ask them to take the matter seriously with their independent eyes". "The council's resolution is pathetic, but better than nothing. Instead of showing any respect for basic governance responsibilities and saying 'This isn't right and we need you to investigate', the council has effectively just said, 'Others have told you about it … said it was a policy misunderstanding, but whatever'." Cr Sherlock has previously vowed she would not be leaving the council. "I'll be vulnerable with you right now. If anyone has ever gone through what I'm going through right now, I'm pretty sure they would probably be embarrassed, be hurt and I accept that," she told 936 ABC Hobart on Tuesday. "I will be continuing on in my role as deputy lord mayor, as I have for a number of years. I will continue to be the staunch advocate that I am for our community."