Adviser role splits council, community

COUNCIL adviser Sue Baynes will remain on the mayoral staff until at least September, despite her appointment causing a split in Mayor Tom Tate’s leadership group.

The Bulletin understands Ms Baynes was first employed in February, filling a position made vacant by a staffer on maternity leave. The staffer is expected to return in five months.

“Sue Baynes is on 20 hours a week,” a council source said. “She can’t have a new role.

“The only way she can is if someone truly resigns from the office and she uses that position. All the councillors are unhappy about it (the appointment).”

Council insiders told the Bulletin when Ms Baynes was first hired and the “prayer room” installed there were concerns over how much it cost the ratepayers.

A council source said: “Under the mayor’s entitlements for his office, he is entitled to a certain number of staff with so many advisers.”

The Bulletin asked Mayor Tate if his preference was for Ms Baynes to become a permanent employee, entitling her to a councillor adviser salary of almost $140,000 a year. He was also asked about the creation of a prayer room on the ground floor of the Evandale Chambers, how a staff member was moved from there and whether the room would be opened for religious and community groups.

“For several weeks I have answered questions on the recent appointment of a councillor adviser in my office,” Mr Tate replied. “The latest questions are clearly going over old ground relating to the staff member’s salary, appointment process, public access to the prayer room etc.

“I will now be focusing on the significant priorities immediately in front of our city such as our 2022-23 budget, our new corporate plan and continuing to seek federal and state government support for major transport and community infrastructure like light rail Stage 4, the next stage of HOTA and Greenheart.”

It is understood Mr Tate is furious and frustrated about the questions, because councillors have not confronted him about the appointment.

But the Bulletin is receiving constant updates on the feedback being received by councillors and council employees from ratepayers confronting them about Ms Baynes’ position on the City payroll.

They want the Mayor to answer these questions:

• Despite claims it was a storage room, how was a staffer removed from a ground floor office to make way for the prayer room?

• How was this funded and created despite the city not having a prayer room policy?

• Why it was not open for the public or any religious and community groups?

• Is Ms Baynes to remain on staff where her salary for a year, as a councillor adviser, could be as high as $139,811?

The appointment of Ms Baynes was checked by the City solicitor and found to be acceptable under local government laws, the Bulletin was told.

The only councillor understood to have spoken to Mr Tate about Ms Baynes is Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who remains one of his strongest supporters: “That was because he was absent when the sign to the prayer room went up and the Deputy Mayor was Acting Mayor,” a source said. “They discussed the issue.”

A council insider said Ms Baynes was working from her own office but the mayoral team, many of them employed for a decade and extremely loyal to the Mayor, were unsure of her role.

“Some of the city councillors have said they are very disillusioned. They are attending community functions. People are asking them what this is all about.”

While the Rationalist Society of Australia has questioned the appointment, some religious groups have been strongly supportive and say it is a “bold and progressive move” by the Mayor.

Mr Tate has maintained the role of Ms Baynes is to bring the religious community together to present a united front to help fix homelessness, drug issues and domestic violence.

A community religious leader told the Bulletin: “I found in our time together that she had an inclusive attitude to the diverse community and cultural backgrounds and various faith groups across the council and city. Sue mentioned she has been on the Coast for 25 years, had a very supportive partner and family, and we had a lot of mutual colleagues in ministry.

“She obviously has deep roots and I felt her calling was a very genuine one to help minister to the City and provide counsel to the Mayor.

“I would be advocating for her position to be a full-time role as opposed to a part-time role as she has much to offer the city with her background and experience.”

Former police officer and councillor Margaret Grummitt believes a chaplain is needed at City Hall to provide help to councillors and employees struggling with health and emotional issues.

“If her role is to co-ordinate community groups, that’s fine. He obviously thinks a lot of the Pastor. I don’t know her but I’m sure she’s a wonderful lady.

“I know what works in the past (with the police and chaplains). Why don’t they do that?”

For several weeks I have answered questions on the recent appointment of a councillor adviser in my office. The latest questions are clearly going over old ground mayor tom tate