Sacked City of Perth Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michelle Reynolds, says she was “gobsmacked” when advised of her dismissal by the Council this week.
The CEO, who has served six years in the role, was sacked following an independent investigation into her conduct.
In a statement, Lord Mayor, Bruce Reynolds, said the Council had resolved at a special meeting on Tuesday night to terminate Ms Reynolds’ employment, effective immediately.
“This was a significant decision, and one Council did not take lightly,” the Lord Mayor stated.
The investigation examined a range of matters relating to Ms Reynolds’ conduct in exercising her responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer.
The Lord Mayor said that following careful consideration of the investigation findings, and Ms Reynolds’ responses, Council determined that the substantiated findings were sufficiently serious that her employment as Chief Executive Officer should be terminated.
“I recognise that the community will want to understand more about Council’s decision. However, this remains a confidential employment matter and there are legal, privacy, and confidentiality obligations that limit what Council can appropriately discuss publicly,” said the Lord Mayor.
“I also recognise that this has been a difficult and unsettling period for all concerned. Our focus now is on providing certainty for our employees and ensuring the City continues to deliver for our community, businesses and visitors.”
He said Council will maintain interim leadership arrangements while commencing recruitment for a new CEO.
“The current leadership has provided great stability during this time, and we will remain focused on working collaboratively to strengthen governance and workplace practices across the organisation.”
“Ms Reynolds has made a significant contribution to the City during her tenure as CEO, and on behalf of Council, I acknowledge that contribution and thank her for her service.”
Her termination comes just a week after Local Government Inspector, Tony Brown, announced a three-month inquiry into the council over “ongoing governance issues”.
In a media conference following the announcement, Ms Reynolds said she would seek legal advice to challenge her dismissal.
“I’m absolutely perplexed that a Council that is under investigation itself for actually leaking information, for poor government and for not working collectively for the community, has actually gone out and sacked me,” she told journalists.
“I’m, I want to say, gobsmacked that that can actually even happen.
“I feel like I’ve been a scapegoat for a dysfunctional council.”
