An updated committee has been appointed to oversee the performance of a senior staff member of Mount Gambier City Council.
As part of her contract, chief executive Sarah Philpott is required to undergo a yearly assessment.
With the Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Committee to reconvene shortly to conduct the 2023 Chief Executive Officer review, updated members are required.
In his report tabled at council’s March monthly meeting Governance and Property manager Michael McCarthy said the review was timely.
“It is timely to review the committee terms of reference, and more particularly membership of the committee,” Mr McCarthy said.
“It is a requirement of the Local Government Act that Council review the performance of the chief executive officer on an annual basis.
“Council has established the Chief Executive Officer Performance Review Committee to assist it in conducting the necessary reviews.”
The committee membership requires the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and three elected members.
However, with local government elections held last year, demise of the standing committee structure, and a council resolution from November 2022, the current committee is no longer considered applicable.
At council’s March monthly meeting the matter of forming a new committee was raised.
Crs Sonya Mezinec and Frank Morello opted to remain on the committee while Cr Josh Lynagh put his name forward as a new nominee.
Cr Paul Jenner was previously on the committee, but relinquished renominating to “give others a chance”.
The performance review will be carried out by the committee with support from an independent consultant.
Mr McCarthy reported council must obtain and consider the advice of a qualified independent person.
“That is not a member or employee of the council and determined by the council to have appropriate qualifications or experience in human resource management,” he said.
The primary purpose of the committee is to establish performance objectives and to undertake a yearly formal review of the performance of the chief executive against the criteria.
Appointed in 2021 as chief executive, Ms Philpott was not new to the council arena.
Prior to her appointment at City Council, she was chief executive for Mildura Council.
Her portfolio has also seen her undertake senior executive roles in community and city development and corporate services at Port Adelaide Enfield Council and City of Marion and in Queensland at Cairns Regional Council.
