Michael Sinclair-Jones
TOODYAY’S recently elected shire council has started looking for a new Chief Executive Officer.
It follows a controversial backflip by the former council in July to give current CEO Stan Scott (right) a 2.5 per cent pay rise to stay another year after voting only two months earlier not to renew his contract.
The new council voted 6-3 behind closed doors last month to call tenders for a CEO recruitment consultant based on ‘scope of services, experience, personnel and pricing’.
Mr Scott was authorised to report to the next council meeting at 4pm on Tuesday December 17 with specifications for hiring a consultant to help select his replacement.
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The decision was moved by Shire Deputy President Rosemary Madacsi, seconded by Cr Brian Rayner and supported by Shire President Bill Manning and Crs Paula Greenway, Sue Pearce and Phil Hart.
New tenders opposed
Cr Therese Chitty, who with Crs Beth Ruthven and Ben Bell opposed the decision, asked that their names be recorded.
It is understood that at least one of the three opponents opposed the extra cost of up to $8000 to re-advertise tenders when five recruitment firms had already applied after the former council’s aborted March decision not to renew Mr Scott’s contract, and two more had applied since then.
Councillors agreed not to automatically hire the WA Local Government Association’s recruitment service – which recommended Mr Scott’s appointment seven years ago – because some said they opposed employing an organisation that “recycled” shire CEOs.
Some councillors said the recruitment process should start afresh to avoid any perception that the former council’s selection process might be seen to be flawed.
The long debate ended at 9.20pm with one veteran councillor calling for a vote because they were tired and wanted to go home after more than five hours in the chamber.
Cr Bell withdrew his earlier bid for the council to appoint Perth firm LO-GO Appointments when there was no seconder.
York move, inquiry
Mr Scott’s 12-month contract for his $243,000 a year job ends next July 22.
He has bought a house in York and commutes between there and his West Toodyay property to do his job.
The council is still awaiting the outcome of a year-long State Government ‘authorised inquiry’ into the former council and Mr Scott’s administration of the shire over the past seven years.
The inquiry was ordered by WA Local Government Minister David Templeman 12 months ago after a year of departmental monitoring and includes an investigation of the shire’s operations, affairs and culture.
A report to the Minister and any recommendations for further action are not expected until after Christmas.
