Kyogle Council general manager Graham Kennett’s job in question

An extraordinary confidential meeting has been called regarding the employment of Kyogle’s general manager with one councillor calling it “highly irregular”. Now the Mayor has had her say:

The immediate future of Kyogle Council’s General Manager Graham Kennett’s role appears to be in question.

Council has called an extraordinary meeting for Tuesday with one agenda item – the General Manager’s Employment Contract.

According to the meeting’s agenda, the matter will be confidential as “it deals with personnel matters concerning particular individuals (other than councillors)”.

Former mayor and current councillor Danielle Mulholland took to Facebook to make her personal perspective clear.

In the social media statement, she claimed Kyogle Mayor Kylie Thomas had brought forth the meeting at the request of councillors Maggie May and Robert Cullen.

Kyogle General Manager Graham Kennett has been in the role since 2017.

She alleged the meeting was called while Mr Kennett was on leave and that he found out about it from his children who saw it discussed on social media in a council move she labelled was “highly irregular, unprofessional and discourteous”.

“This General Manager has an excellent reputation in the local government sector and extensive beneficial networks, which is a huge advantage for our Council,” she said in her statement.

“I have become aware that people in the community are already talking about this issue which I find disturbing and perplexing because I was unaware of it until I received an email (on Friday) advising me that we were having this meeting.

“I am currently concerned that all over social media, that this meeting is being perceived to be about dismissing the General Manager.

Kyogle General Manager Graham Kennett with Page MP Kevin Hogan looking at the proposed entry for the Kyogle Memorial Hall in 2017.

“I can’t possibly see that this meeting is being called for that reason, given the success of the current General Manager and the team he leads.

“Even contemplating going forward without this General Manager, who lives locally, has a proven commitment to our communities, has family in the community, and has dedicated over two decades of his professional life to improving the lives and conditions of people of the Kyogle Council area, would be exceedingly ill advised.

“ I can’t understand how getting rid of this General Manager is in the best interests of the community, and acting in the best interests of the community is supposed to be part of a Councillor’s role.”

Kyogle Council's general manager Graham Kennett (left), former mayor Danielle Mulholland with Member for Page Kevin Hogan discussing how drought funding in 2020.

Cr Mulholland also praised Mr Kennett for his work during the recent bushfire, drought and flood crisis.

Online, questions were raised about the timing of the meeting – just one day after the Anzac Day long weekend.

However, Mayor Kylie Thomas shot back on Sunday on Facebook claiming she called Mr Kennett and informed him about the meeting herself and that all councillors were advised of the meeting at the same time.

Furthermore, she told The Northern Star the meeting will almost immediately go into Closed Session.

She also said the extraordinary meeting was called on Tuesday as councillors were already meeting for a workshop, stating there was “nothing dodgy here” and explained why the meeting would be confidential.

“This meeting is being held in confidential because it’s dealing with staff, not because of any other reason,” she said.

“The system is set up to protect Council and staff especially management from public scrutiny.

“The elected are doing their job. They have access to information to make decisions – the public have elected these people to make these decisions. This is not for public consultation, it’s a duty.

“Any councillors discussing these matters publicly are doing more harm than good.

“A Staff member’s employment should not be discussed in the public realm, it does a disservice to our staff and breaches their trust that their councillors can act in professional and private manner.”

Mr Kennett was made General Manager in 2017 and worked prior to that as an Urban and Assets Executive Manager and Assets and Infrastructure Services Director within Kyogle Council.

Mayor Thomas replaced Cr Mulholland who served as mayor for eight years in a move the shook up the council in January.

The news comes as Lismore City Council recently sacked their former General Manager Michael Donnelly just six months into a four-year contract in February.

The decision was made in a confidential extraordinary meeting regarding Mr Donnelly’s employment contract.