Council in damage control over CEO’s early departure

The sudden departure of a southeast Queensland council’s CEO has come as a “massive shock” to many within the council, and follows “professional differences with the mayor”.

Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman and mayor Jos Mitchell.

A bayside council is in damage control after councillors voted to allow longstanding chief executive Andrew Chesterman to exit his contract two years before it expires, after “professional differences with the Mayor” were revealed.

Mr Chesterman, who was appointed to head the Redland council in 2017 under previous mayor Karen Williams, shocked council staff when he asked for an early exit to his contract last week.

The decision, announced at a special council meeting on Friday, follows a period of significant upheaval and controversy within the council including allegations of two bomb threats made against staff in the past month.

Mr Chesterman’s resignation came after a contentious week marked by urgent special meetings and high-level discussions.

At a confidential briefing last Tuesday, Redland’s top legal counsel Andrew Ross informed councillors and Mayor Jos Mitchell there were “professional differences” between Mr Chesterman and the Mayor.

Mr Ross said Mr Chesterman wished to terminate his contract early, requiring a formal vote by the council.

During the previous council, Redland changed a mayor’s delegated powers so that matters surrounding a CEO’s employment had to go before a council meeting for discussion.

Prior to that, a mayor had delegated powers for hiring and firing a CEO.

The situation escalated on Friday, when the council convened to vote on ending Mr Chesterman’s contract without the mayor in attendance, who was unavailable due to a sudden medical issue.

A union rally outside Redland City Council in 2023 with placards against the previous mayor Karen Williams and CEO Andrew Chesterman. Picture: Judith Kerr

Deputy Mayor Julie Talty stepped in at the last minute to chair the meeting, which unanimously agreed to allow Mr Chesterman to exit his contract early.

Mr Chesterman, who had two years remaining on his contract, was known for his extensive experience and high qualifications.

His departure has been described as a “massive shock” to many within the council, while others have said it was “usual” for council CEOs to resign soon after new mayors were elected.

In a statement on Sunday, Mayor Mitchell said the CEO had decided to resign.

“This is not uncommon after a long length of service,” Ms Mitchell said.

“There’s been quite a bit of CEO movement across numerous councils in Queensland since the recent elections.

“I, and all councillors, support the CEO’s decision and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.

“I think it’s wonderful for people to embrace new opportunities.

“We all thank the CEO for his service to the organisation and the Redlands community.

“Council has a strong plan to move forward and I welcome Louise Rusan into the acting CEO role and look forward to working with her.

“Council will now embark on a nationwide search for the new CEO and I am very much looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Departing Redland CEO Andrew Chesterman. Picture: Redland City Council

The recruitment process for Mr Chesterman’s replacement is expected to take several months and will likely involve an external executive recruitment agency specialising in local government roles.

Following the resignation of Mr Chesterman, which will take effect as of Friday, September 13, there has been a growing advocacy for a comprehensive overhaul of local government processes including calls for more rigorous qualification checks and a more transparent selection process for local government roles.

Originally published as Council in damage control over CEO’s early departure