Email sheds light on background to Burnside CEO Paul Deb sacking
A heated email from a Burnside Council staff member sheds light on the background to CEO Paul Deb’s sacking.
An email from a Burnside Council executive criticising four elected members will play a key role in sacked chief executive officer Paul Deb’s case for unfair dismissal.
Mr Deb will argue in the Supreme Court the council “acted beyond their power” by overturning disciplinary measures he imposed against the staff member for sending the email.
The email — sent on October 7 last year — accused the four councillors of a lack of support for council staff during the controversial tenure of a former councillor, Lance Bagster.
It was written following the release of a report from state Ombudsman Wayne Lines which found Mr Bagster committed 12 cases of misconduct during his time on council.
Mr Deb’s lawyer, Greg Griffin, will argue the staff member was “aggressive in their criticism” of former councillors Graham Bills, Felicity Lord, Peter Ford and now Mayor Anne Monceaux.
In the email, seen by The Messenger, the staff member said he experienced “serious bullying and harassment” at the hands of Mr Bagster.
“What still appals me however, are those councillors who knew what was happening” it said.
“I hope, with the benefit of hindsight, these individuals now regret their actions and I hope they never have to experience what we went through.
“Perhaps, if they have any sense of decency... they would offer members of the administration an apology.”
Another senior staff member also emailed elected members on October 7, echoing his colleague, saying: “I stand behind every one of your words 100 per cent”.
“I’m glad the truth is out,” the staff member wrote.
Following legal advice, Mr Deb gave both staff members a final warning and made them apologise to the council in December.
However, Mr Griffin will allege a new council elected at last November’s elections held secret meetings which overruled the sanctions imposed by Mr Deb.
The councillors decided to remove the written warnings from the staff members’ employment records, he will allege.
Mr Griffin said he would be alleging the council “acted beyond their power” as only Mr Deb could deal with staff disciplinary matters.
He will argue one of the staff members later filed a code of conduct complaint against Mr Deb.
Mr Griffin said Mr Deb had wanted to ensure the new council acted within its power.
He also wanted to avoid a repeat of past mistakes by council which created a “toxic work environment”.