Northern Beaches Council’s CEO Mark Ferguson to get more than 38-week payout to walk away
At a closed-door meeting on Tuesday night Northern Beaches Council decided to part ways with its CEO who was believed to be on a $450,000 per year package.
Manly
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NORTHERN Beaches Council last night agreed to a “mutual exit” with its chief executive officer Mark Ferguson, who is believed to be walking away with a large golden handshake.
At a closed-door meeting last night the 15-person council decided to part ways with Mr Ferguson who was on contract until September 2020 with a salary package believed to be more than $450,000 per year.
In a statement released by Northern Beaches Council on Wednesday Mayor Michael Regan said Mr Ferguson had led the new organisation, to form the fourth-largest Council in NSW.
“The Northern Beaches is considered the most successful of all the councils amalgamated in 2016,” Cr Regan said.
“I would like to thank Mark for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Mark Ferguson will leave the council next Friday, March 16, and said he was proud of the council’s achievements since the merger in May 2016.
“Two years into the amalgamation, the time is right for a change,” Mr Ferguson said.
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to lead the Northern Beaches Council for the last two years.
“I am very proud of the Council’s achievements since amalgamation and the success of the merger to date demonstrates my level of commitment and passion for the organisation.
“In leaving I would like to pay tribute to the incredibly talented, hardworking council staff who strive every day to make our community the best it can be.”
The specifics of the deal, which was held in a confidential session of the council meeting, are not known.
But it is believed the CEO received more than the 38-week payout previously reported in the Manly Daily.
On Tuesday, a source told the Manly Daily: “If the CEO resigns of his own accord, contractually he gets four weeks pay and nothing more.
“If councillors vote to remove him, he gets 38 weeks pay. My understanding is that councillors are being asked to approve a 38-week payout.”
The councillors voted on the termination agreement as part of an emergency mayoral minute.
A panel made up of six councillors will embark on short-listing candidates for a new chief executive officer, which will then go to a council meeting.
In the interim it is believed the council’s three divisional general managers, David Kerr, Helen Lever and Ben Taylor will share the CEO’s duties.
Mr Ferguson took the helm at Pittwater Council in September 2005.
He was made general manager of Northern Beaches Council after Manly, Warringah and Pittwater councils merged.
He was appointed CEO by former administrator Dick Persson,
The circumstances behind Mr Ferguson’s sudden departure remain unknown.