Wudinna District Council spends $9000 on investigation into chief executive Alan McGuire
Another regional council has spent thousands of dollars on an investigation into its chief executive – the third to have serious issues with their bosses since the beginning of the year.
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A tiny rural council is strengthening its workplace safety policies after spending thousands on an investigation into its veteran chief executive.
Wudinna District Council last month asked Alan McGuire to take paid leave while a consultant examined a complaint made by an employee.
The nature of the complaint has not been made public.
Mr McGuire, who has been the council’s boss for 34 years, has since returned to work following the completion of a confidential report by Balance HR director Robert Wallace.
The Upper Eyre Peninsula council’s five members voted behind closed doors on May 19 to spend $9000 – plus expenses including travel, meals and accommodation – on an investigation by Mr Wallace.
According to the meeting’s minutes, this followed a deputation by Mr Wallace which discussed “information relating to matters affecting the security of the council members or employees of the council, or council property, or the safety of any person”.
“ … the information reveals information relating to an employee complaint and formal investigation process to be undertaken, release of which may prejudice the investigation process,” the minutes say.
The councillors then voted to ask Mr McGuire, who attended the meeting, to “vacate the work site on paid leave for the duration of the investigation”.
Mayor Eleanor Scholz said Mr McGuire ended up working from home while Mr Wallace’s investigation was underway.
“We didn’t get Alan to stop working while that inquiry went on,” she said.
“Alan is back at work now and everything is OK. He is still with us.”
Mrs Scholz said she could not discuss the nature of the complaint because it was discussed by the council in confidence.
“Alan has been a great chief executive and has kept all our council business in order,” she said.
“We have a report with recommendations (from Mr Wallace) which we will just work on to look after everyone so they are happy.
“We are looking for good practices and a good, safe workplace.”
Wudinna is one of the state’s smallest councils, with 1250 residents — of whom 847 are electors — spread across 5394 sq km.
Mr McGuire, who is on $131,438 a year, plus a rental subsidy and superannuation, oversees a budget of almost $7 million and 20 full time and casual staff.
Mrs Scholz said Mr McGuire had been instrumental in managing two of the council’s biggest capital works projects – the installation of a 5G mobile phone network and widening of the main highway through the town.
The investigation by Mr Wallace follows another confidential report he prepared for Mt Remarkable District Council, in the Mid North, which resulted in the departure of its three most-senior executives.
Former chief executive Wayne Hart is suing the council for constructive dismissal while his former deputy, Jessie White, and works manager, John Hadley, are seeking damages for alleged breach of contract.
Mrs White’s matter was to be discussed at a mediation hearing at the SA Employment Tribunal on Friday.
The other regional council to recently lose its chief executive was Port Lincoln, with Stephen Rufus resigning earlier this month following a performance review, which also was discussed by councillors behind closed doors.