New ZealandTauranga City Council Appoints Acting CEO
Gareth Green takes over after Marty Grenfell's sudden resignation, council to start recruiting for permanent chief executive. Grenfell faced public calls to resign following a review that found a fatal landslide was preventable.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Tauranga City Council has appointed Gareth Green as its acting chief executive, following Marty Grenfell's resignation last week. Green, who has been with the council since March, previously served as chief executive of New Plymouth District Council and Taupō District Council.
Grenfell's resignation came after a review found that a fatal landslide at a council-owned campground in January was preventable. The review, conducted by retired High Court judge Paul Davison, identified systemic issues within the council that meant it missed opportunities to address known landslide risks.
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell is calling for the council to be more transparent about Grenfell's resignation, including whether he will receive a payout. Uffindell said Grenfell's resignation was a positive step, but it should have happened sooner.
The council has refused to comment on the reasons for Grenfell's resignation or whether he will receive a payout. Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the council respects Grenfell's decision and thanks him for his commitment to public service.
Green has worked in local government for 25 years and received a Long Service Award from Taituarā last month. He will start his new role as acting chief executive immediately, and the council will commence a recruitment process to appoint a permanent chief executive.
The elected council will consider the next steps for the appointment process at a meeting on October 20, which will be closed to the public. The council has also approved $500,000 to tackle flaws exposed in the review of the landslide.
The Tauranga ratepayers group has slammed the secrecy around Grenfell's resignation, saying the community deserves to know more about what happened. The group is concerned that Grenfell may receive a payout, which they say would be unfair to the community.
Key facts
- Gareth Green appointed as acting chief executive of Tauranga City Council
- Marty Grenfell resigned as chief executive last week
- A review found a fatal landslide at a council-owned campground was preventable
- The council has refused to comment on the reasons for Grenfell's resignation or whether he will receive a payout
Three perspectives
Neutral
The council's appointment of an acting chief executive is a step towards addressing the issues raised in the review. The community is waiting to see how the council will move forward and whether they will provide more transparency around Grenfell's resignation. The recruitment process for a permanent chief executive is expected to start soon.
Positive
Grenfell's resignation and the appointment of a new acting chief executive may bring a fresh start for the council. The council's approval of $500,000 to tackle flaws exposed in the review shows they are taking steps to address the issues. Green's experience in local government may help the council move forward.
Negative
The secrecy around Grenfell's resignation and the potential payout has raised concerns among the community. The council's refusal to comment on the reasons for his resignation has led to speculation and mistrust. The community is calling for more transparency and accountability from the council.
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