Change management and succession planning are some of the buzz words found in the corporate world. Those at the top generally recognise that they have time limits on their tenure and for the company to flourish and advance new blood must be continually groomed, sought and introduced. This is also true of local government. In order to attract all the new bright things, people with talent and ambition and who thrive on challenges, the old must make way for the new. With no chance of advancement anyone worth a cracker from within the organisation will seek positions elsewhere whilst attracting outside talent is a forlorn task – especially if they perceive there is no room for advancement.
In Glen Eira, as opposed to numerous other councils, we seem to be stuck with the old. There just isn’t any space at the top. Some might argue this means “stability”. Others may see this as stagnation and a detriment to the organisation. It all depends on results and point of view. Bayside obviously welcomes new blood – in droves. According to their website, the most senior officers have ALL been at the council for less than 3 years – that is, not just in their current positions, but newly arrived at Bayside. They are listed as:
Heather Johnson – Director community services – arrived 2008
Shiran Wickramasinghe – Director City Strategy – arrived 2010
Guy Wilson-Browne – Director Infrastructure Services – arrived 2008
Sharon Pearsons – Director Corporate Services – arrived 2008 –
Andrew Robb CEO – 2008
Glen Eira’s story stands in stark contrast. Note that the following years DO NOT NECESSARILY SIGNIFY WHEN THESE INDIVIDUALS FIRST ARRIVED AT COUNCIL – ONLY WHEN THEY ACQUIRED THEIR CURRENT ROLES.
Paul Burke –2001
Peter Jones – 2003
Peter Waite –2006
Jeff Akehurst – 1996
Peter Swabey –2004
Andrew Newton – 2000
Gibbs & McLean (Audit Committee) – at least since 1998!
So we can only ask: How long is too long? – especially when it is the CEO alone who has control over his lieutenants!
Glen Eira Debates 
December 5, 2011 at 10:23 AM
This is the most stupid blog I have ever read. Anyone who knows anything about Bayside knows they have a huge Staff Turnover because the Council is a basket case. On the other hand our CEO has made huge endeavours to retain all good staff and retain their knowledge and experience. This blog is rediculous and places Bayside in a bad light showing what an undesireable place of employment it is, and what a great place Glen Eira Council is to work.
December 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Most of the good staff left soon after Newton arrived and there is still approximately 10% turnover. Bayside got rid of the old brigade as every council should. People get lax and far too comfortable in their jobs at the top. Gibbs and McLean should have gone years ago.
December 5, 2011 at 3:12 PM
I think one of the biggest changes to Glen Eira since Newton & Burke have been in control is the amount of dumped rubbish that is strewn around Glen Eira streets, nothing they have done has made any difference to the discarded junk laying about our city streets.
Other cities do not have this problem to anywhere near the degree that Glen Eira does.
They would have to admit complete defeat on this one issue.
My feeling is if they cannot manage this simple problem, they most likely cannot manage anything else successfully.
Unlike other failed issues they hide behind closed doors, closed meeting, doggy reports, and all the other tricks they choose to conjure. The rubbish on the streets is there to be seen by everyone.