General News
30 August, 2024
Bhalla under fire after vote of no confidence
Horsham council monitor Steven Kingshott already had a full dance card to navigate ahead of taking up his new role on Monday - now he will be thrust into yet another controversy as embattled CEO Sunil Bhalla stares down renewed calls for his resignation.
Following a meeting with council employees on Thursday August 22, Australian Services Union organiser Billy King called on mayor Robyn Gulline and other councillors - as Mr Bhalla’s employers - to immediately stand the CEO down in the wake of “serious allegations” levelled against the CEO by council staff.
The 70-strong meeting resolved unanimously to move a motion of no confidence in “the ability of the CEO to manage the council and protect staff health and wellbeing”.
The motion also related to concerns about the leadership style of the CEO and the “impact of that style on that ability”.
“Staff are being questioned and sometimes abused by members of the public simply because they work for council,” Mr King wrote.
“This behaviour is unacceptable and has been happening for far too long.”
Among a lengthy list of allegations raised by union members at Horsham Rural City Council was “withholding and misuse of information”.
Mr King said this included:
* Inconsistency in the information required to enable staff to fulfil their duties through changes in direction, priorities, guidelines and requirements, especially in relation to budgetary processes.
* Abrogation of responsibility for management communication by stating that staff are responsible for communication of issues across the organisation.
“The alleged treatment in the workplace that our members have had to endure has caused them a significant degree of stress and/or psychological harm for which some have been receiving medical attention,” Mr King wrote.
"We request that you, the Mayor and other Councillors as the CEO’s employers, immediately stand the CEO down from his position until such time as an independent investigation into these matters has been completed."
Cr Gulline acknowledged Mr King's complaints in a statement released at 5.51pm on Friday.
"Councillors have received a complaint regarding Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Bhalla, and are taking it seriously," she wrote.
"Councillors are reviewing the complaint and considering the most appropriate course of action in responding to it.
"Out of respect for all parties, and to ensure that they are afforded procedural fairness, no further comment will be made in respect of this matter at this time."
Mr Kingshott was last month appointed municipal monitor by Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne following "governance concerns" and council's failure to meet the statutory June 30 deadline for adoption of its budget.
His role is to advise on the governance processes and practices and provide a report to the Minister at the end of his 10-month tenure.
Mr Kingshott's appointment was greeted with dismay by state MP Emma Kealy, who had called for Horsham Rural City Council to be sacked and an administrator appointed to "clean up" council after years of underperformance which had eroded public trust and confidence.
Ms Kealy said it remained to be seen whether Mr Kingshott's appointment as council's second monitor in two years would be enough to address "the challenges that have plagued council for some time".
“Community concerns have escalated in recent months following ongoing issues including councillor complaints, bullying allegations, and Local Government Victoria announcing it had referred the council to the Chief Municipal Officer,” she said.
In July last year Horsham ratepayer group Community Matters HRC opened an online petition calling for both Mr Bhalla and Cr Gulline to resign.
They argued the CEO and mayor had "presided over a dysfunctional council", leading the organisation into a significant decline in community satisfaction over the past few years.
"This cannot continue. There is no confidence in this administration. The Horsham Community is fed up and has had enough," they wrote.
The petition attracted more than 300 signatures.
Mr Bhalla was appointed CEO in April 2018. Councillors granted him a four-year contract extension on January 30 last year.
“It’s a privilege to lead a passionate and talented group of people," he said at the time.
"I look forward to being able to continue to grow and develop our organisation’s capacity and to collectively provide even greater outcomes for our community.”
Cr Gulline said she was looking forward to continuing to work "collaboratively and supportively" with Mr Bhalla.
“As a council, we felt it was important to retain Sunil’s guidance and genuine passion for the community to lead the organisation in delivering the best outcomes for Horsham Rural City Council and its residents," she said.
In September last year, Mr Bhalla said council had "rigorously considered every single response" to a survey completed by 1200 residents.
“The number one priority in local government is serving our community," Mr Bhalla said.