With respect to the complaint against Mr. Bell, Cr. Shaw said he was satisfied there was no prima facie evidence of any breach of the Upper Lachlan Shire Council Code of Conduct.

He added that Mr. Mowle had fully complied with Council's Secondary Employment Policy.

Cr. Shaw said the complaints arose initially t claims by Mr. Hinton for a copy of certain documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

Council had followed the correct path in relation to these claims, particularly in view of the fact that they could not release the documents without the permission of the parties concerned.

Since then more than 80 E-mails had been received from Mr. Hinton over the matter.

Cr. Shaw described the events as "very frustrating - it is not the General Manager's position to answer forty or fifty E-mails.

"The owner of the documents concerned refused to release them under the Freedom of Information Act."

He added that Mr. Hinton had a "vendetta" against the two officers.

"It's just bullying. We've been threatened with the Ombudsman and with approaches to the Local Government Department."

Cr. Mick Mayoh commented that it was possible Mr. Hinton was illegally using Department of Defence equipment in sending such a large number of E-mails.

Cr. Shaw moved, and Cr. Mayoh seconded, a motion expressing full confidence in Mr. Bell and Mr. Mowle, and that action be taken to contact the Department of Defence over the use of Government equipment to carry on E-mail correspondence with Council.