Playford Council chief executive Sam Green admits to romance with finance manager

South Australia’s most indebted council is embroiled in a new controversy, with its finance manager resigning over a relationship with its married chief executive.

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Playford Council’s financial manager has resigned over a relationship with its $300,000-a-year married chief executive.

Sam Green, 42, told elected members at an informal gathering on Tuesday night that he was having a relationship with general manager of corporate and strategy Grace Pelle.

Mr Green, who is married, then sent an email to council staff on Wednesday saying that Mrs Pelle would be leaving the council.

Mr Green and Mrs Pelle, who is also married, have been working closely on restructuring the finances of the council, which owes almost $140 million.

They have been overseeing an ambitious program by the council to rejuvenate the Elizabeth CBD with new buildings, including a luxury hotel.

The pair also were heavily involved in an evaluation of the council’s policies and procedures by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Mrs Pelle, who earns $225,094, regularly briefs elected members on the council’s financial operations.

Playford Council chief executive Sam Green.

Mr Green’s announcement that the pair were romantically involved took elected members by surprise, with one saying they were “gobsmacked”.

“He just dropped it on us at the end of an informal gathering about sports clubs and COVID-19 saying he needed to discuss a personal matter and then he said he had left his wife three weeks ago for Grace.”

In his email, Mr Green told staff that councillors “support the action that has been taken”.

“To be open and provide more context about Grace’s decision, I’m informing you that in recent weeks Grace and I have decided to pursue a personal relationship,” he said.

“Given our roles in the executive this will make a professional relationship and workplace dynamic more difficult. Grace has made the choice to leave the organisation.”

Mr Green told staff that councillors had asked him to “ensure that Grace’s transition is a measured one which ensures the current important work is delivered and knowledge transfer has occurred”.

“As a member of the senior leadership team and more recently the executive, Grace has been an incredible asset to the organisation, always striving to get the best organisational outcome and result for our community,” he said.

“I know there will be many of you disappointed by this news given her contribution and leadership in supporting Playford to move forward these last few years.

The Advertiser has been told that Mrs Pelle, a chartered accountant who started the council in 2015 as a financial officer, will remain until the end of June to complete its annual business plan.

Council sources yesterday said this had caused some angst, as some staff believed Mrs Pelle, who is the treasurer of Trinity College and a board member of the Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA), should leave the council immediately to minimise any internal disruption.

Mr Green said more details “regarding recruitment and related arrangements will follow in the coming weeks”.

“From this point onwards, we ask that you recognise that this is a personal matter and respect the privacy of those involved,” said his email.

Mr Green declined to make any further comment through the council’s spokeswoman.