By NIKKI TODD
TWEED Shire Council will not have a new general manager for at least several months after it was agreed to readvertise the position after their preferred candidate declined the offer.
In an extraordinary meeting called by councillors on Monday, it was agreed to restart the recruitment process and call for tenders from jobs agencies after their first attempt failed to deliver a new person to head council.
The recruitment process was prompted after the surprise termination of former GM David Keenan, who was sacked last March after a majority of councillors lost faith in his ability to lead the organisation.
The decision sparked widespread unease in the community, with several hundred people attending a protest meeting in Murwillumbah to express their anger.
Mayor Barry Longland said it was a disappointing the first recruitment process – which attracted a field of almost 40 applicants – had not been successful.
“We did a round of interviews and some people dropped out and some of the key contenders were offered other positions, or for various reasons went in other directions,’’ Cr Longland said.
“We did get to a position where an offer was made to a preferred candidate but that offer was subsequently declined after that candidate had further discussions with their current council where that person was a general manager.
“These things happen – there is not much we can do about it. There is a market out there and people will work within that market.’’
But Cr Carolyn Byrne – the only councillor to vote against starting from scratch and tendering for a new recruitment agency – said the community and council staff deserved better.
“I am concerned with the ongoing additional cost and the delay in getting someone appointed,’’ she said.
“The process has been delayed by not going with the existing recruiter. This is about getting the right person for the position and running the budget accordingly.’’
Cr Byrne estimated the continued recruitment process would cost ratepayers an additional $30,000, on top of what has already been spent.
“It’s a lot of money to keep coming up with which is not budgeted for and there are other things which that money could be spent on,’’ she said.
Cr Longland said despite the delay, council remained in good hands with acting general manager Troy Green doing a great job.
Mr Green, who usually heads council’s technology and corporate services department which includes budgetary responsibility, did not apply for the role of GM.
Council GM search starts again
