Northern Areas Council chief executive Colin Byles sacked for fabricating Covid letter to medical clinic

A council chief executive has been given his marching orders for fabricating a letter to a medical clinic about Covid restrictions.

A regional council has sacked its chief executive for fabricating a letter about Covid restrictions.

Northern Areas Council mayor Ben Browne told Colin Byles on Wednesday afternoon elected members had voted to terminate his contract.

Mr Browne gave Mr Byles until Thursday to collect his personal belongings from the council’s offices at Jamestown, in the state’s mid-north.

The 66-year-old, who was on a $200,000 salary package, was allowed to keep a council-provided car for two weeks to enable him to relocate.

The disciplinary action followed an investigation that found Mr Byles committed professional misconduct by faking a letter to a medical clinic, which complained about the council’s handling of Covid restrictions.

The inquiry by State Ombudsman Wayne Lines determined Mr Byles told Mr Browne at a council meeting last December a reply had been sent.

Mr Byles then “panicked” when he realised this was wrong, so he fabricated and backdated another version.

Former Northern Areas Council chief executive Colin Byles (right) with the head of a solar energy company, Raj Nellore, at a project in the Mid-North. Pictured: Supplied

It was the second time in 12 months Mr Byles had been found to have altered official council documentation.

In his report, Mr Lines said he had “did not act honestly, ethically or with integrity” when he “backdated” the letter after telling Mr Browne it had been sent.

Local Government Minister Geoff Brock wrote to the council earlier this month, asking what action it was proposing to take against Mr Byles.

“As Minister for Local Government, I have an expectation that all South Australian councils and their staff conduct themselves in a manner that fosters trust, integrity, and accountability to their communities,” he said.

Mr Brock said he “noted” that Mr Lines had recommended the council take disciplinary action against Mr Byles.

“I request that you provide me with the full details of what action the council will take in order to ensure this matter is resolved and does not occur again.”

Northern Areas Council mayor Ben Browne. Picture: Supplied

In legal advice provided to the council, its lawyers Norman Waterhouse said it could be put into administration by Mr Brock if it did not take disciplinary action against Mr Byles.

“In our opinion, taking into account the Ombudsman Report, Mr Byles’ previous conduct and the express terms of the employment contract, summary termination of Mr Byles’ employment, that is termination without notice, is the most appropriate option,” it said.

“As an alternative approach, the council can invite Mr Byles to resign.

“However, if Mr Byles does not resign, or is invited to resign with immediate effect but instead gives notice of resignation at later date which is unsatisfactory to the council, the council should, in our view, terminate the employment of Mr Byles.”

Contacted for comment, Mr Browne confirmed elected members met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss the legal advice recommending it terminate the employment of Mr Byles

“The Ombudsman inquiry had a finding of misconduct against him and the legal advice obviously left us with little choice,” he said.

“We gave him notice and he finished up immediately.

“He was given until the 28th to pick up his personal effects and allowed to keep the car for a few weeks so he can move.”

The Northern Areas Council was created from the merger of the Jamestown, Spalding and Rocky River district councils in the late 1990s.

It covers Jamestown, Spalding, Laura, Gladstone and much of what was previously one of the state’s most productive pastoral properties, Bundaleer Station,

Mr Byles had been the council’s chief executive for seven years. He could not be contacted for comment.