The preliminary investigations relate to whether the council followed due process in addressing an administrative matter connected with the council’s code of conduct for councillors.

The issue was first reported in The Flinders News on July 23, where an unnamed source claimed the case was going through the court process.

At the August council meeting, Northern Areas Council chief executive officer, Keith Hope, explained to councillors the nature of the Ombudsman investigaton.

The matter was discussed in confidence after councillors moved that the public be excluded from attending the meeting while the issue was on the table.

In a statement Mr Hope said he was responding to concerns raised by councillors relating to the

nature of preliminary investigations as a “result

of rumors apparently circulating throughout

the council’s area of investigations being made into the council’s activities.”

After contacting the Ombudsman’s office Mr Hope said he was advised that the inquiry is still in the preliminary information gathering stage and it could be months before any of the documents gathered were reviewed.

Mr Hope said that the council will continue to cooperate with the Ombudsman throughout the course of the matter.

After the preliminary inquiries are complete the Ombudsman will be able to determine if a full investigation is required.

A spokeswoman from the State Ombudsman’s office said no comment could be made on the issue.

PHOTO: SCIENCE FUN...Matt Fejo of Georgetown Primary School got covered in yellow goo at the Mythbusters Science Event held at the school recently, where students got the chance to take part in hands-on experiments.