Gawler Council calls special meeting to discuss salary package for chief executive Henry Inat
A northern council has called a special meeting to discuss a contract extension for its chief executive – while its former mayor wants the issue put on ice.
North & North East
Don't miss out on the headlines from North & North East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Gawler Council will on Monday night hold another meeting to determine the fate of its chief executive’s request for a long-term contract extension and pay deal.
But Opposition local government spokesman and former Gawler mayor Tony Piccolo says the issue should be put on ice because the State Government is considering reforms of how council bosses’ remuneration is decided.
Chief executive Henry Inat submitted a 21-page report recommending he receive a five-year extension, a 1.4 per cent pay rise and private use of a Toyota Kluger Grande “or equivalent”.
Mr Inat wrote the report five weeks after unsuccessfully applying for the position of chief executive at Playford Council. He was one of three candidates interviewed behind closed doors by elected members on September 9 before they decided to appoint acting chief executive Sam Green.
Mr Inat, who has been at Gawler Council since 2013, then presented his report to the council’s chief executive performance review panel on October 28.
The panel recommended Mr Inat receive the package he was seeking, which included extending his contract to 2024.
The recommendation was discussed behind closed doors by the full council at its monthly meeting last Tuesday.
The Advertiser understands councillors voted 6-4 against accepting Mr Inat’s request before the meeting was adjourned because it went past a deadline of 11pm.
Mayor Karen Redman would not comment in detail, saying it was illegal under the Local Government Act to discuss matters discussed in confidence by councils.
“The CEO’s performance review was adjourned as the matter has not been concluded,” she said.
“I am bound by law not to discuss matters which are confidential and I don’t make it my business to break the law.”
Ms Redman said she was disappointed somebody was leaking information about matters discussed in confidence by councillors.
“It is not how I conduct myself or wish my council to conduct itself,” she said.
“It is clear it (leaking) is happening. It is highly disappointing and extremely disrespectful as it involves the personal affairs of the CEO.”
Mr Piccolo said the proposal to extend Mr Inat’s contract raised questions “in light of legislative reforms recently flagged in both the State Parliament and in a State Government discussion paper”.
MORE NEWS
ICAC tells Playford Council to clean up its act
First look at Salisbury’s new $43.8m community hub
Gawler Council meeting halted over bullying claims
He believed the timing of Mr Inat’s bid to extend the contract could “pre-empt any legislative reforms which might pass State Parliament in the new year”.
A State Government discussion paper on local government reform acknowledged “council CEOs have a disproportionate advantage in negotiating their own contractual conditions and that there is insufficient oversight of their performance”.
One reform being examined was giving an independent panel such as the Remuneration Tribunal control over council chief executive salary packages.
Mr Piccolo said he believed “it would be extremely unwise for the council to proceed with the extension of the contract at this time”.
“In short, it’s not a good look, and certainly doesn’t pass the pub test,” he said. “It would be very sad and unproductive if Gawler Council continuously made the headlines for the wrong reasons.”
The special council meeting is due to start at 5pm Monday in The Institute building on Murray St.