Toowoomba councillor Nancy Sommerfield admits to inappropriate conduct over CEO Brian Pidgeon allegation following decision by colleagues

A councillor who alleged the organisation’s CEO failed to act over an unfounded pen-throwing incident has publicly admitted to engaging in “inappropriate conduct”.

A Toowoomba councillor has publicly admitted to engaging in “inappropriate conduct” after she alleged council CEO Brian Pidgeon failed to act over an unfounded pen-throwing incident.

Three-term councillor Nancy Sommerfield made the formal admission at Tuesday’s ordinary meeting, following a decision of her colleagues last month to accept recommendations from an independent investigator appointed by council.

Ms Sommerfield was the subject of an investigation in December last year after Mr Pidgeon complained about comments she had made about him during a confidential meeting in March 2022.

During the session, which was for councillors to determine whether Mr Pidgeon’s contract as CEO should be extended, Ms Sommerfield brought up an alleged pen-throwing incident that supposedly occurred between two general managers at an executive leadership meeting in 2021.

Councillor Nancy Sommerfield at a special meeting of Toowoomba Regional Council to endorse new deputy mayor, Friday, July 28, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

She was quoted in the report as saying during the meeting, “the CEO’s response being ‘you two need to get a coffee’ is appalling, in my view”.

Mr Pidgeon was not in attendance when the comments were made.

The alleged incident had been anonymously reported in a confidential staff survey.

Mr Pidgeon “strongly” rejected having any knowledge of the incident and an email from the alleged victim to council’s legal team last year denied a pen had been thrown at them by another general manager.

The report by Ashdale Workplace Solutions, completed on behalf of the Office of the Independent Assessor, concluded the allegation against the councillor could be substantiated, subject to agreement by the majority of the remaining elected officials.

CEO Brian Pidgeon. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Investigator Ian Muir pointed out Ms Sommerfield had a prior record of inappropriate conduct and that she “appeared to demonstrate limited insight into the inappropriate nature of her conduct”.

Ms Sommerfield said on Tuesday she believed the comments about the CEO were made “in good faith” but acknowledged the recommendations from the report and the decision of her colleagues to agree with them.

“Council considered the matter and resolved that I had engaged in inappropriate conduct,” she said.

“Council made orders that I make a public admission and I hereby make that public admission.”

Ms Sommerfield said she was looking forward to working with her colleagues and the executive leadership team for the remainder of the term.