Simcock’s quitting cost taxpayers
Former Waikato DHB chair Bob Simcock hired a PR company to write his resignation letter. Simcock resigned last year during an investigation into former CEO Nigel Murray’s spending.
Simcock, who has dodged responsibility for hiring Murray or overseeing his spending, spent about $2500 of taxpayer money on his resignation letter and associated advice.
But yesterday a bid by a Waikato DHB member to recover funds from Simcock for ‘‘unauthorised’’ spending failed to get off the table.
The board met for the first time since the release of a damning report into disgraced Murray’s spending. Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Waikato DHB spent $10,800 on a PR firm to manage the public fallout in the wake of the spending scandal.
But at yesterday’s meeting, acting chairwoman Sally Webb said about $2500 of that spend was used for the PR firm to write Simcock’s resignation letter.
‘‘The previous chair had the board support to contract the PR firm and we understand this was on advice from the State Services Commission,’’ Webb said
‘‘However, the board did not sanction the use of the PR firm to write Mr Simcock’s letter of resignation. We acknowledge that there was nothing to preclude this happening and are making appropriate changes to our delegation policy today so this cannot happen in the future.’’
Board member Dave Macpherson tabled a resolution to action Simcock’s spend as ‘‘unauthorised’’ and to recover the funds he used for the letter.
But the resolution mustered support from only one other member – Mary Anne Gill – who seconded the motion.
‘‘I was one of the board members who suggested we take on PR advice . . . there were many battle-weary [DHB workers] and it was important for the [DHB’s] reputation to get somebody with an external eye,’’ Gill said. ‘‘I was never of the view to give advice to the chair on his resignation or on what another board member was saying publicly.’’
But board member Crystal Beavis did not support the motion. She preferred the board approach Simcock privately.
‘‘I, for one, think Bob would not hesitate to pay the invoice,’’ Beavis said. ‘‘He is a man of good character and ethics and it’s a very unfortunate thing to finish this whole saga off with a motion about this.’’
Simcock could not be contacted by deadline.
Macpherson and Gill voted for the resolution. Beavis, Tania Hodges, Sally Christie, Sally Webb, Martin Gallagher, Pippa Mahood and Clyde Wade voted against. Sharon Mariu was absent.
Webb also addressed the SSC report, saying Murray’s inappropriate behaviour had brought disrepute to the organisation.
She said none of the board members were aware Murray was fired from his former employer Fraser Health.
‘‘As the report highlights, there was a vital gap in reference checking. Future recruitment processes by this board will ensure this never happens again,’’ Webb said.
The report concluded Murray spent $120,608 on unjustified travel and accommodation, of which $74,265.04 has been paid.
The board has sought further clarification and said it would revisit the repayment issue if needed.
Webb also said the board was not made aware of SSC advice to not allow Murray to resign.
Simcock had discussions with the SSC, however, he did not share this ‘‘crucial aspect of the conversation’’.
‘‘Leaderships starts with the board, chair and chief executive,’’ Webb said.
‘‘It was the responsibility of the previous chief executive and chair to demonstrate exemplary leadership. That did not happen.’’