Council deputy stood down

By Raquel Mustillo

ONE of Grant District Council’s highest-ranked staff members has been suspended following misconduct complaints lodged by the council’s chief executive officer and mayor.

Deputy chief executive officer Jane Fetherstonhaugh was stood down from her position last week after claims of misconduct were lobbed against her by Darryl Whicker and mayor Richard Sage.  

Both Ms Fetherstonhagh and Mr Whicker refused to comment, but sources say the deputy chief executive “being at odds” with both complainants is among the “number of allegations” of misconduct.  

At this week’s council meeting, Mr Whicker deferred answering a question on the whereabouts of Ms Fetherstonhaugh, whose desk name plate had been turned face down.

Councillor Shirley Little asked Mr Whicker where Ms Fetherstonhaugh was during the meeting, saying it was important for elected members to be informed of staff absences.  

“When our senior staff are not at meetings, why can they not be shown they are ill, on leave et cetera, same as the councillors,” she said. 

“You said tonight that councillor Bain wouldn’t be here and councillor Dulkalkis wouldn’t be here – why can’t we have in amongst there as to where our staff are?

“They are most important to our meetings, discussions and comments.

“I was wondering if that could be included and where the deputy CEO is tonight?”

Mr Whicker replied he would take the question on notice.

According to sources, elected members were not informed of Ms Fetherstonhaugh’s suspension until after the meeting when it was discussed in confidence.  

Insiders have also revealed Ms Fetherstonhaugh does not have access to council resources, equipment or any IT during the term of her suspension. 

Grant Council staff are in shock by the sudden suspension, with one member referring to the situation as “disgusting”.

It is understood long-running tensions have continued to boil in council following the appointment of Mr Whicker to the top position.  

Last year, it was revealed Ms Fetherstonhaugh declined the chief executive officer position – which led to the appointment of Mr Whicker – due to ongoing behavioural issues involving Mr Sage. 

Ms Fetherstonhaugh told The Border Watch in October 2019 she would have accepted the position if the “non-negotiable condition” of Mr Sage committing to following the Charter of Agreed Behaviours which was adopted by council in June 2019.

The suspension of Ms Fetherstonhaugh, who held the chief executive position for an interim period of close to six months, follows the sudden termination of former chief executive David Singe in April 2019.  

A cultural review released months after Mr Singe’s sacking revealed staff considered council’s culture as “toxic”, “gripped by infighting” and in “survival mode”.  

Ms Fetherstonhaugh, Mr Whicker and Mr Sage were contacted for comment.