Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s bid blocked for three political advisers to join payroll

Townsville City Councillors have identified their preferred option to act as a chief executive officer after almost two hours in confidential business.

Outgoing CEO Prins Ralston will be replaced by an interim CEO.

Townsville City Councillors have identified their preferred option to act as a chief executive officer known as ‘Candidate Z’ after almost two hours in confidential business.

Following the confidential business, Mayor Troy Thompson confirmed the yet unidentified candidate would first have reference and criminal history checks before formally being approved as acting CEO.

Councillors held a special council meeting this week to raise the prospect of using two different service groups to find an interim and a permanent CEO from outside the Townsville City Council, while also considering whether to appoint special mayoral advisers.

Mr Thompson said another special meeting would be needed before Wednesday next week to formally appoint the acting CEO.

The role would likely be held between three to six months while a permanent CEO is found, following the resignation of Prins Ralston who would resign effective May 10.

Dr Prins Ralston. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Councillors examined the prospects provided by consultancy Peak Services after lengthy and private deliberation, with even high level council employees required to leave the chamber during the proceedings.

All councillors voted to support ‘Candidate Z’ with the exception of Division 5 councillor Vera Dirou.

Ms Dirou said she voted against the candidate on principle not because of the person’s suitability, but because the acting position was being recruited externally rather than from within the Townsville City Council’s workforce.

“Appointing someone with experience and knowledge about council for a short period of time while we recruited for a permanent CEO would have minimised impact to council operations and saved ratepayers money,” Ms Dirou said.

“However, I accept the position of my fellow councillors and look forward to working with them as we move through the next stages of confirming the preferred candidate later this month.”

Legal counsel representative Tony Bligh, who also left the room during private deliberations, cautioned councillors on the sensitive content that could not be disclosed to the public, before choosing an interim CEO.

“There will be intensely personal information included and made available to councillors that must be treated in the strictest confidence,” he said.

Mr Thompson’s ideal qualifications for the permanent CEO would be extensive local government CEO experience, demonstrated financial management experience, and “a proven track record in transforming the organisational culture”.

Townsville Mayor’s bid blocked for three political advisers to join payroll

Mayor Troy Thompson attempted three motions to gain up to three political advisers, which were denied each time because not enough councillors supported the decision.

The appointment of advisers was discussed during a special council meeting on Wednesday, which also included discussing the search for a permanent and an interim CEO.

His deputy Paul Jacob removed himself from the room because of a perceived conflict interest as his daughter and political adviser Bella had considered the role.

There were no councillors to move the mayor’s proposal for three advisers.

In an alternate motion Kristian Price supported two advisers, but there was no seconder.

When that was defeated, Andrew Robinson supported one mayoral adviser but he had no councillor to back him.

After the council meeting Mr Price said he did not second the motion for one adviser because it was not enough.

“Well, I think he needs two advisers,” Mr Price said during a break.

Mayor Troy Thompson and Cr Kristian Price. Picture: Evan Morgan

In a now deleted post on social media highlighting his campaign pledges, Mr Thompson spoke out against former mayor Jenny Hill employing three political advisers.

“The mayor doesn’t need three consultants and advisers to tell her how to do her job,” he says in the video.

“If she does, she’s never been good at her job.”

Mr Thompson made the comments during a video in which he claimed that as part of his seventh pledge that he would reduce council debt.

“How do you do that?” he asked rhetorically, “You need to trim the fat, it’s pretty simple.”

Mr Thompson said in the video that in order to reduce council debt “we must look at every single department; the misuse of our funding”.

The new mayor, who says he is a “ratepayer” despite not owning property in Townsville according to RP Data, was critical of lawn-mowing crews taking breaks after two hours.

“Then the lawnmowers are going for two hours and then they stop and they have lunch and they come back for two hours and then they go back to the depot, it’s not good enough,” he said.

“If I’m a private contractor, I get in, I get the job done and I get out.”

Mr Thompson said the council could “do more jobs, but let’s get through what’s in front of us and get through it more efficiently”.

“And that’s how we’ve got to reduce the debt, there’s a lot of middle managers and upper managers and the CEO is ultimately responsible.”

The meeting was closed about 12.30pm to the public as councillors discussed the choosing of an interim CEO.

Legal counsel representative Tony Bligh said there was “intensely personal information” which needed to be treated confidentially.

Originally published as Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s bid blocked for three political advisers to join payroll