Ben Bell opens up about 'turbulent' time as Gore mayor
Friday, 14 April 2023
Gore district mayor Ben Bell admits it’s been a “turbulent” time since winning the mayoralty.
“We’ve had good stuff – and we’ve had bad stuff. I think that’s like anyone who starts out a new job.”
At the age of 23, Bell became the country’s youngest mayor, but it’s been a bumpy ride. Reflecting on his first six months in office, Bell described it as “turbulent”.
However, Bell said he trusted his fellow councillors and council staff despite confidential information about the breakdown of his working relationship with council chief executive Stephen Parry being leaked.
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The leak to media and breakdown between the senior officials has prompted deputy mayor Keith Hovell to submit a notice of motion seeking an independent review and advice on restoring confidence in the council’s governance leadership.
“I’m all for a review, not against it whatsoever,’’ Bell said. “There was clearly a leak within the council. It’s always good to get the advice of external parties to see how we can improve, so I have nothing against a review.’’
Bell said he thought councillors understood the severity of leaking information.
“I am the story that keeps on giving, and it becomes national news.’’
When asked if there had been a witch-hunt among councillors to find out who the leaker was he said “in the way it affects trust among councillors”.
The notice of motion was not signed by councillor Robert McKenzie, who said while he had no problem with a review he would not sign the document.
“I felt like I was being pressured into signing it before I had read it.
“You like to study something before you put your name to it and I didn’t feel like I had a chance to do that,’’ he said.
When asked who he felt was pressuring him to sign, he would not comment.
“I can’t comment on that, we are being watched like f…ing hawks at the moment.”
Parry, the council chief executive, said the time was “absolutely right’’ for an independent review, although he said the issues that had arisen were “a side show’’ and the day-to-day running of the council was largely unaffected by the governance issues.
“I will quite happily participate in any review so that we can get these issues resolved,’’ he said.
“This runs far deeper than the relationship between the mayor and the chief executive.’’
Parry would not elaborate further, but said he was “incredibly concerned’’ confidential information from the meeting had been leaked.
“Leaking is highly corrosive for building trust,’’ he said.
Hovell said the meeting on March 18, from which details were leaked, was held in-committee because it related to employment matters.
Information about Bell and Parry, the fact an intermediary was required to work between the two and that Bell had walked out of the meeting was subsequently leaked to the media.
“We are not the first council to have information leaked, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing,’’ he said.
“Trust among councillors and between councillors and staff is critical for any council to function successfully, as is good leadership from elected representatives.
“The appointment of an independent reviewer, who will provide recommendations for future actions, is an important next step in giving confidence to the community that improvements will be made, and the distractions caused by recent events will be left behind,” he said.
Bell would not comment on his relationship with Parry.
Speaking on Friday, Bell said he has spent time learning the ropes.
“I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress in some areas and in some areas we’ve been slow. But when you get voted in with a mandate of change, there’s always going to be that period of change.’’
He confirmed he entered into mediation with Parry before Christmas, had one meeting and had not met again since.