Unauthorised spend on legal advice

Hi,

I am an owner and have a question about a committee member’s actions. A lawyer has been engaged by the strata committee, voted on successfully at an EGM by all owners who is to act on our behalf for specific services related to a development. There is a cost agreement in place detailing the steps and related costs. 

A member of the committee took it upon themselves to meet with this lawyer, on their own, without discussion or approval from the Strata Committee. This person had a discussion on aspects of the development along with by-laws and insurance (we have another lawyer who has been engaged to write up and manage the by-laws). Additional documentation has also been sent to this lawyer to review. 

I have an issue with this, as this person has been aggressive to some owners and has caused a lot of friction within the Owners Corp. At no time were they asked in their capacity as a office bearer, let alone a stand alone owner to independently engage with this lawyer on the development issue, let alone by-laws that had already been voted on in previous meetings. The Strata Committee were shocked to receive an email outlining details of this meeting and proposed outcomes. Of course, the bill for the meeting ($1500) has been paid for out of the strata funds. 

What is the course of action for someone not complying with their duty as an office bearer? I am extremely unhappy that my funds have paid for a private, not-authorised meeting. If it weren’t for the long history of discourse I would let it go. However, I want to ensure this does not happen again to me or to any other owners.

I appreciate any advice.