City council to 'review' decision not to say if Dawn Baxendale got exit package
Tuesday, 2 July 2024
The city council says it will “review” its decision not to make public whether former chief executive Dawn Baxendale received a golden handshake on her way out the door.
The Ombudsman has assigned an investigator to the matter, after complaints from The Press and another unknown individual.
The Press last week went back to the city council asking it to make public any exit package, after the Ombudsman intervened over former Gore chief executive Stephen Parry’s exit package.
Parry left the organisation in May with a payout totalling more than $290,000, and a vehicle. The figure was made public after the Ombudsman decided that public interest overrides privacy about the payout.
The Christchurch City Council said: “This is now subject to an Ombudsman investigation. We will review our initial decision as part of that investigation.”
Baxendale tendered her resignation in November, went on annual leave days later and did not return to work before her resignation took effect.
Baxendale’s salary for 2023 was $548,548.
At the time, mayor Phil Mauger would not say if Baxendale had received any payout, instead repeatedly saying: “The CE has resigned and I wish her all the best for the future.”
It is understood Baxendale tendered her resignation during the early stages of a council-commissioned independent review into her performance, which was understood to not be favourable.
Baxendale grappled with low staff morale, poor resident satisfaction and high staff turnover.
Parry resigned from the Gore council in September and left early, citing “untenable circumstances” over a dispute about a letter with mayor Ben Bell.
His last day was May 10, though he remained as a contractor to oversee the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachie Jones on the council’s behalf.
Details of Parry’s deal came after a 10-month dispute involving the Ombudsman’s Office.
Following his resignation in September, Stuff requested under LGOIMA legislation all correspondence relating to his resignation and any severance payment.
The council declined the request, citing privacy issues, so Stuff complained to the Ombudsman, arguing the payout was funded by public money and it was in the public interest for the details to be released.
The Ombudsman’s Office investigated, and the council was instructed to release details about the settlement.
It is understood Parry consulted with the Privacy Commissioner in an attempt to keep the details of the settlement confidential.
Lyttelton Port Company chief executive Kirstie Gardener last year received a salary and golden handshake totalling almost $1.5 million for 10 months’ work.
Former Christchurch City Council chief executive Tony Marryatt, who started as chief executive in 2007, walked away with an $800,000 payout. He was stood down and later resigned after the council was stripped of its building consenting accreditation.