Applications now open for council's top job

UNDER SCRUTINY: Mark Simpson is entitled to reapply for his role when his four-year contract expires in March next year. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

The Whangarei District Council's top job is being advertised and the man currently at the helm has been told he is entitled to reapply for his position.

That's despite Whangarei District Council's chief executive Mark Simpson's employment remaining under scrutiny after an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruling found he had unjustly dismissed his PA.

The ERA ruled Jan Walters-Gleeson was unfairly dismissed and should be awarded more than $37,000 in lost wages and compensation.

The ERA also found Mr Simpson left himself open to bias criticism, made an untrue statement, conducted a "sham" interview and used double standards during the dismissal process.

Nearly three months later and any action the council is taking over the ERA ruling remains unclear.

Mayor Sheryl Mai said: "That's still under discussion with the current CEO."

However, Mr Simpson's contract expires in March and the council resolved this week to advertise the position to ensure a smooth, efficient and correct process was followed, Ms Mai said, adding Mr Simpson was entitled to reapply for the role.

"In 2011, he (Mr Simpson) competed against 40 candidates from across the country and was selected for the role."

In September, the WDC revealed that its cost for responding to Mrs Walters-Gleeson's claim to the ERA came to $184,609.12, including GST.

The cost of an earlier internal council review of her dismissal came to $9059, including GST.