Hill’s head of office quits
MAYOR Jenny Hill’s head of office Stephen Beckett has resigned after going on unexplained leave last year.
Mr Beckett was on “extended leave” in November.
Last month Townsville City Council Mayor Jenny Hill said Mr Beckett had since resigned from the position.
“The organisation does not discuss staffing matters but acknowledges the important work Stephen did during his time at council,” she said.
“Council is totally committed to delivering on our commitments to the community and acting CEO Mike Chiodo understands exactly what needs to be done to deliver.”
Mr Chiodo took on the acting CEO position after highprofile chief Adele Young resigned on November 29.
At the time, Ms Young said her priorities were to implement the Transformation tasks the Mayor and councillors set her following council amalgamation. She said after the program was completed felt like the natural time for other people to complete the cycle. The council has not revealed when they would announce a permanent replacement.
Cr Paul Jacob, who is no longer part of Team Hill, said clarity about the position was important.
“As a councillor, I have no knowledge of what the Mayor is doing in relation to readvertising that position,” he said.
“It’s important to get some clarity. It would be good to have a permanent person.”
Cr Jacob said Mr Chiodo was doing a great job acting in the position. Previously, he was council’s director, infrastructure and operations.
He said two people, who were both doing a good job, were now helping in that position. He said it was an integral role in the council and they really needed to continue the momentum already generated.
Cr Hill said the council had a corporate plan in place and nothing had changed.
“I’m very comfortable with Mr Chiodo leading the organ- isation in an acting capacity to ensure we deliver our promises,” she said. “There’s no change … everyone is focused on getting on with the job.”
In the Local Government Act 2009, it does not say there is a limit to how long a person can be in an acting CEO role.
“A local government may appoint a qualified person to act as the chief executive officer during (a) any vacancy, or all vacancies, in the position; or (b) any period … when the chief executive officer is absent from duty or cannot, for another reason, perform the chief executive officer’s responsibilities,” the law reads.
AS A COUNCILLOR, I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE MAYOR IS DOING IN RELATION TO READVERTISING THAT POSITION. CR PAUL JACOB