PRESSURE is mounting on the City of Ballarat to advertise the position of its chief executive officer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Current CEO Anthony Schinck’s contract ends in January, but the council is yet to confirm whether the city’s top job would be advertised.
The delay has sparked a groundswell of prominent com-
munity leaders to demand the role be advertised, with an open and transparent recruitment process launched.
Councillors will discuss a confidential performance review of Mr Schinck behind closed doors at Wednesday night’s council meeting, casting doubt on whether he intends on exiting at the end of his contract.
In June 2013, the current council controversially voted to extend Mr Schinck’s contract by two years and to advertise the position when the contract ended in 2016.
Following the announcement, former mayor John Burt told The Courier Mr Schinck would leave the job at the end of the two-year period and the position would be advertised.
“The community needs to understand that this is only an extension for a two-year period,” Mr Burt said at the time. “It has been made clear to Anthony and Anthony has agreed to it.”
Mr Schinck is the council’s sole employee, with everyone else in the organisation employed by him.
Former mayor James Coghlan said he had serious concerns about the current council’s conduct of finances, including tens of millions of dollars of unexpended funds carried over in the past two budgets.
“What that says is that a significant proportion of projects budgeted were not completed,” he said. “It is solely the responsibility of the CEO to employ staff and deliver budget programs as determined. At the moment, the council simply falls a long way short.”
Mr Coghlan was joined by former mayor John Barnes who called for an end to a leadership regime plagued by a “culture of secrecy” surrounding council decision-making.
“There was a very public pledge given by the mayor two years ago, who said Anthony was leaving,” Mr Barnes said.
Former Ballarat City Council arts and culture manager Ron Egeberg also supported the move.
He said the application processes must be independent with no council officers involved in the appointment.
Mr Egeberg said Mr Schinck was encouraged to reapply but it was in the city’s best interests to open up the selection process.
The Courier understands at least three councillors are opposed to Mr Schinck continuing, while others believe his position should be advertised as previously promised.
Under section 86 of the Local Government Act 1989, the council must review Mr Schinck’s salary and performance annually.
Ballarat mayor John Philips said a decision on the fate of the role would not be made until the end of June when councillors formally voted on whether to extend or advertise Mr Schinck’s contract.
Without divulging details of the performance review, Cr Philips said the findings would assist councillors to make an informed decision on whether they would support Mr Schinck continuing in the role.
Mr Schinck could not be reached for comment.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au