Shock resignation: Bec Enders resigns from Huon Valley council

Huon Valley’s Mayor has called it quits after months of community backlash following a conflicted recruitment process for general manager.

Bec Enders has resigned as mayor of the Huon Valley Council, effective immediately.

The council issued a release last on Friday to advise Ms Ender’s sudden departure, but did not provide the exact reason why she was leaving, but her resignation follows months of community backlash following a conflicted recruitment process for general manager.

Sally Doyle will fill Ms Ender’s shoes as acting mayor until the 2022 council elections in October, leaving the council short a councillor until then.

“On behalf of my fellow Councillors, we acknowledge the contribution of the outgoing Mayor for her advocacy work for the Huon Valley,” Ms Doyle said.

“Her work in strengthening our relationship with all levels of Government has resulted in significant funding commitments for the Huon Valley over the past 3 years and we wish Bec all the best for the future.”

Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms Enders received backlash during the process to recruit a new general manager after it was revealed the lead candidate for the job was in a relationship with Joanne Inches, the head of Red Giant – the agency recruited to whittle down the list of candidates.

That candidate, Jason Browne, was later successful in securing the role of general manager.

Mr Browne secured a five-year contract in the role, which has a remuneration package of $246,175 per year.

What followed was a review into the process by Edge Legal which cleared the council of breaching the code of conduct, Huon Valley governance framework and local government act.

The hiring process was later reviewed by Auditor-General Rod Whitehead who found the process was flawed and said the recruitment panel proceeded despite knowing the process lacked integrity.

Huon Valley Council GM Jason Browne. Pic Supplied

Councillors have since undertaken training to better understand and identify conflicts of interest.

A public meeting was held in February to discuss the matter further, with several community members unsatisfied with the outcome, calling for the resignation of both Mr Browne and Ms Enders.

At the meeting several came to their defence and arguing they should be given a chance.

On Thursday Mr Browne was given the green light to continue in the position after a probation review.

Ms Enders said his review came back “positive” and that she’d looked forward to working with him.

During a sit down with The Mercury last year, Ms Enders said she would not resign as a result of the conflict of interest saga.

Ms Enders also denied rumours she planned to run for the Upper House seat of Huon, made vacant by Bastian Seidel.

Ms Enders has been contacted for comment.

Huon Valley Council GM to remain in role after probationary review

The Huon Valley mayor says the council will stand by its general manager and continue his contract after a probation review.

Jason Browne secured a five-year contract in the role, with a remuneration package of $246,175 per year after a recruitment process last year.

But his employment caused community conflict because he was in a relationship with head of the agency contracted to narrow down the search.

There is no suggestion about Mr Browne’s eligibility for the role.

Huon Valley mayor Bec Enders said Mr Browne contract would be continued.

“In the contract, continued employment is defined as subject to a satisfactory performance review during probation. Mr Browne’s review has come back positive,” Ms Enders said.

“We look forward to working with him so that he can provide the leadership and direction to implement the priorities and strategic directions of Council.”

Mr Browne said he looked forward to working with the council.

“I have spent a significant amount of time touring the Huon Valley and I am inspired

by the passion and creativity in the people I have met. I can see clearly that they

deeply care about their place and community,” Mr Browne said.

Ms Enders said Mr Browne would meet with the general manager performance review panel every month.

Meanwhile, staff at the council are in talks with the union over concerns workloads are “dangerously high and that they’re being excluded from a survey being undertaken following the conflict of interest matter.

The Australian Services Union said the staff simply want their voices heard but are being denied the opportunity.

Huon Valley Council conflict leads to union action

Huon Valley Council employees are in talks with a union after the recruitment process for general manager was found to be flawed, with claims staff concerns aren’t being heard and many are dealing with “dangerously high” workloads.

The conflict was identified last year after it was revealed the lead candidate for the job was in a relationship with the head of the agency contracted to narrow down the search.

That candidate, Jason Browne, later secured the five year contract, with a remuneration package of $246,175 per year.

There is no suggestion about Mr Browne’s eligibility for the role.

Huon Valley Council GM Jason Browne. Pic Supplied

A review into the recruitment process found the council did not breach the Local Government Act, the code of conduct or the Huon Valley governance framework.

In October, Auditor General Rod Whitehead found the process was flawed and councillors have received training to better identify conflicts of interest.

In February, a public meeting was held on the matter, with many community members unsatisfied with the process and outcome.

Following the meeting, the council agreed to undertake a survey

Council employees have since contacted the Australian Services Union to voice concerns, calling for the council to properly engage with staff on the issue, with claims most staff are being excluded from the survey.

Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders. Picture: Chris Kidd

ASU Organiser Karen Tantari said it was conducting its own survey of the employees after a meeting with staff.

“Staff concerns raised at the meetings, coupled with the results of the survey to date, are unsurprisingly critical of council” Ms Tantari said.

“Responses to our survey consistently report a lack of confidence and trust for council and that this is having a negative impact on staff wellbeing.

“Specific issues include flawed recruitment processes and under-resourcing leading to dangerously high workloads.”

The union says staff just want their voices heard.

“The Councillors need to make important decisions impacting on Council operations and seeking input from only a select senior group whilst excluding feedback from workers at the ‘coal face’ is not the best way to inform itself before making those decisions.”

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