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An independent review from the Invercargill City Council says Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is struggling to fulfill important aspects of his job and as a result there is a leadership vacuum in the Council.
The board released the results of an independent board review that was promoted by the Department of Home Affairs that raised concerns about the board’s performance.
The review conducted by two independent consultants after collecting feedback from elected members and senior staff.
The report says there is a clear consensus that Shadbolt is fighting for the job.
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Kavinda Herath / Things
A review by the Invercargill City Council says Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt is struggling to do his job.
The report also says that “three mayors from the south” contacted the report’s authors, Bruce Robertson and Richard Thomson, expressing concern about Shadbolt.
The report written by independent evaluator Richard Thomson says that Shadbolt’s difficulties are becoming more apparent.
Shadbolt, Deputy Mayor Nobby Clark and CEO Clare Hadley addressed the media on Monday shortly after they were provided with a copy of the review.
Councilors also attended.
To the surprise of all in attendance, Shadbolt read a lengthy statement in which he dismissed much of the report’s findings, saying he felt it had been unfairly flagged as part of the review.
That’s despite the fact that Shadbolt, in an excluded public meeting on November 12, voted to accept the report.
Robyn Edie / Stuff
Invercargill Deputy Mayor Nobby Clark, left, and Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt address the media following the release of an Independence Governance Review at Invercargill City Council, as councilors watch.
“I am not willing to use the actual content of the report. The report will have you believe that the dysfunction of this current council rests squarely on me and my new deputy Nobby Clark.
“I consider the report to be flawed and does not mention any other council member … as a contributor to the ongoing conflict and fighting for power on the council,” Shadbolt said.
He said he wasn’t ready to be the scapegoat.
Shadbolt was asked if he had considered resigning after the results of the conviction review, to which he responded by saying “never.”
He again noted his belief that there was a “toxic” culture in the council and there were “factions” on the main issues.
Shadbolt also reiterated his belief that the council did not provide him with enough staff support to do his job properly and his partner Asha Dutt has had to take on some duties on a voluntary basis.
His remarks surprised councilors who attended the press conference, given that Shadbolt had agreed to adopt the report 11 days earlier.
Cr Ian Pottinger said everyone had seen the draft of the report and was able to comment on it before going back and voting unanimously.
“It would have been an opportune moment to come out on open things like factions, and you know I don’t agree with there being factions, things like that, that was an opportune moment.
“I’m really surprised and it will take a little bit to get all of that in,” Pottinger said.
The report also says that the working relationship between Shadbolt and Hadley was non-existent.
“Important problems remain in providing a proper link between governance and management due to [Shadbolt’s] inability to perform what would normally be a key function of his role. ”
The report describes the tensions between some elected members and Hadley, who was appointed in 2018.
There is also a concern in the report that Clark’s appointment as a deputy could further destabilize the relationship given that Clark and Hadley have fallen out.
Hadley was asked if she might actually work with Shadbolt in the future.
“I’m certainly here to support the council,” Hadley said.
Shadbolt also said he could work with Hadley despite the “non-existent employment relationship” above.
Clark acknowledged that he had been critical of Hadley, but said there was a way forward.
“We are in the process of building a relationship and that is based on trust. That’s the key going forward, because if we want to get the results, we have to have the CEO, ”Clark said.
Clark was identified by “the majority” of councilors and management as having a destabilizing impact on the council.
“He is a complex character who is seen by most councilors as polarizing,” says the report.
He is described in the report as aggressive and did not understand the role of governance and was at times degrading to staff.
However, the report also highlights that Clark conducts important research and has many ties to the community.
Clark said the report was a challenging read for him, but he liked its frankness.
“It gives me a way to go. I will need to show some leadership skills and I suppose to dilute some of the advocacy work that I have done, which puts me in a bit of conflict with my colleagues at times, “Clark said.
The council has now agreed to appoint two active external observers to try to help improve its governance.
Those appointees will be in place for a minimum of 12 months and will also develop a clear set of delegations for the deputy mayor.
You will also “strengthen the team” through a strategic project review, mentoring support, training for elected members.
You will measure progress through annual evaluations and workshops to ensure the council stays on track.
Click here to read the full report on the Invercargill City Council website.
