AN independent mediator and a consultant will be “urgently” engaged to end the turbulence engulfing Grant District Council.
In an extraordinary move, three councillors called a special meeting on Friday night amid ongoing concerns linked to the elected member “code of conduct” and the fractured relationship between Mayor Richard Sage and chief executive officer David Singe.
The tense two hour meeting was chaired by deputy mayor Gill Clayfield who along with Crs Barry Kuhl and Jody Elliott called the formal meeting.
The meeting came just one day after The Border Watch exclusively revealed that a “hazard report” had been lodged with the council regarding alleged behaviours toward staff.
It is understood the alleged matter may relate to claims of bullying linked to one alleged elected member.
According to the official minutes of Friday’s special meeting, Mayor Sage – who had a no confidence motion passed against him at a meeting late last year – chose not to chair the meeting.
The Border Watch also yesterday requested a recording of the meeting given there was no media present at the meeting due to it only being notified on council’s website just hours before.
Bur Mr Singe told this newspaper yesterday the recording would have to be accessed through a freedom of information application given the recordings are not “generally” released to the public.
In a statement released yesterday, Cr Clayfield described the meeting’s outcome as a positive step with effective communication being a common theme for moving forward.
“The elected members are committed to delivering the best results for the community and want to set the tone and expectations for how Council will progress over the next four years,” Cr Clayfield said.
“We wanted to ascertain an understanding of issues that may affect council’s performance and act on this immediately.”
She said council had undergone significant change in leadership and had resolved to undertake a cultural review, providing elected members and the CEO with qualitative information and recommendations for improvement.
“Council acknowledges that a strong relationship between the Mayor and CEO is critical and implementing the measures recommended from a review will create a positive working model,” Cr Clayfield said.
At the meeting, elected members discussed a “way forward” on a number of code of conduct issues.
“The intent of elected members is that all parties operate with respect, transparency and with a common goal for the next four years,” the minutes said.
Elected members also pushed through a motion that a panel be convened for the purpose of overseeing a “cultural review”.
The panel will consist of Crs Kuhl, Clayfield and Elliott.
Elected members also voted that an independent consultant be engaged as a” matter of urgency” to undertake a comprehensive review of the culture of the organisation and prepare a report for Council’s consideration.
The review is to include speaking with the senior management team and a majority of staff – across all departments and levels – to understand key themes relating to:
• What is not working/the issues and concerns
• What is done well
• What needs to change
• Consultant recommendations
“The purpose of the report is to provide elected members with specific details and recommendations to action,” the minutes said.
And in another matter, a motion was carried that any expenditure for $1000 or above by the mayor or elected Members must be tabled at a council Meeting and discussed and approved by elected members.
It is not clear what prompted this motion.
And in a key move to mend the fractured relationship between the Mr Sage and Mr Singe, councillors agreed to engage a mediator on weekly basis for two months to work with these officials.
“It is an expectation of elected Members the CEO and Mayor develop a positive working relationship with open and regular lines of communication,” the minutes said.
The Cultural Review Panel is authorised to select an appropriate mediator to work with the Mayor and CEO and will review at the end of the two month period.
And in another key move, elected members agreed a review of all emails should be conducted to ensure that elected members were “operating council business from their designated council email address”.
The minutes also revealed all communications between the independent consultant undertaking the cultural review and council, or the mediator and council, are also to occur directly through the Cultural Review Panel.
For the purposes of this clause, a majority of members of the Cultural Review Panel must be present for all meetings/teleconferences/exchanges of information and reports.
The Cultural Review Panel undertakes to make “all reports available to council at the earliest opportunity once they have been received”.
The Border Watch has chosen not to reveal one motion that was carried by elected members due to possible legal implications.
The meeting was attended by Crs Kylie Boston, Gill Clayfield, Megan Dukalskis, Jody Elliott, Barry Kuhl, Shirley Little, Brad Mann and Mayor Sage.
Crs Bruce Bain and Julie Reis were absent.
Mr Singe also attended the meeting along with environmental Services director Leith McEvoy and executive assistant to the CEO and Mayor Judy O’Hehir.
Mayor Sage also did not return calls from this newspaper yesterday.
The full minutes can be found on council’s website.
