Coffs Harbour council first meeting goes confidential for staff matter
After the first meeting of the newly elected Coffs Harbour City Council went into confidential session to discuss a “personnel matter” it has been revealed the GM’s time is up.
Coffs Harbour
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Newly elected mayor Paul Amos says it’s time for a change of leadership.
After the first meeting of the new Coffs Harbour City Council went in to confidential session to discuss a personnel matter on Thursday evening, February 10, it was revealed the next day that the contract of general manager Stephen McGrath would conclude - effective immediately.
“We sincerely thank Mr McGrath for his dedicated service over the past 11 years,” Mr Amos said.
“The achievements under his leadership are considerable however we feel that a different style of leadership will be more suited at this time.”
According to a statement issued by Council, Mr McGrath was extremely proud of Council’s community response through the bushfires, floods and COVID-19 and wished the new mayor and councillors all the best in managing a sustainable future.
The general manager position will be filled temporarily by Chris Chapman with recruitment for a permanent replacement to commence immediately.
“I would like to assure the community and staff that the new Council will work hard to ensure a smooth transition,” Mr Amos said.
A similar personnel matter was raised in May last year when a meeting was closed to the public and media while the matter was discussed.
While the details of that session were not revealed, the motion was voted down with only councillors Sally Townley and Tegan Swan in favour.
Deputy mayor elected
Also on the agenda on Thursday evening was the election of a deputy mayor.
Dr Townley and fellow councillor George Cecato nominated as candidates.
She won the confidential vote, taking seven votes to Mr Cecato’s two.
“I’m delighted that councillor Townley has become the first deputy mayor of our new council,” mayor Paul Amos said.
“We have a team that combines experience and fresh ideas and I’m very optimistic that we will be making some significant progress for our community.”
Dr Townley will serve a seven-month term until September 2022.
The usual length of time served by a deputy is 12 months, beginning every September.
The process was disrupted in last year by the postponement of council elections until December.
By introducing a one-off, seven-month term, the September timetable can be restored.
It has been a steep learning curve for the new councillors elected as they undertook induction training (which included a mock meeting on Monday) in preparation for the big night on Thursday.
Five of the eight Councillors elected to office in December last year are new to the role.
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