City of Melville chief executive Shayne Silcox.
Camera IconCity of Melville chief executive Shayne Silcox. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Melville staff make public show of support for embattled CEO

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

CITY of Melville staff and councillors have backed Shayne Silcox in an extraordinary show of support for the under fire chief executive.

In unusual circumstances, community development director Christine Young – supported by the City’s management team – stood up at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting to present Dr Silcox with a poster.

The poster, a response to last Wednesday’s annual general meeting of electors where a vote of no confidence in Dr Silcox was put forward, featured the City’s values and was signed by hundreds of City employees.

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“Following the AGM last week and the motion of no confidence concerning our CEO there was overwhelming interest and support from staff to show we fully support the leadership of our chief executive officer, Shayne Silcox,” Ms Young said.

“Directors, managers, co-ordinators, staff of our operations centre, staff of our library, staff of our community facilities (and) our leisure centre facilities from across the organisation united in wanting to demonstrate our visible and tangible affirmation of our CEO’s professionalism, leadership and integrity.”

Ms Young then presented Dr Silcox with the poster signed by “several hundred staff”.

The show of support came after the December 6 AGM where a vote of no confidence in Dr Silcox was put forward by residents.

The motion cited a lack of acknowledgement by the chief executive regarding the authorised enquiry hanging over the council and the “unresolved issues” which had led to the investigation.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries will examine the council’s relationship with its administration, policies and procedures, acquisition of land and any other matters that present themselves, a process that could take 12 months to complete.

City of Melville Residents and Ratepayers Association secretary Mark McLerie, who seconded last week’s no confidence motion, said he was unsurprised Dr Silcox received support from his colleagues.

He said the poster handover was “one of the many theatrical things the City has done to paint something that is not correct”.

“(Staff) may be happy working there but if their work is not delivering to customers – the residents and ratepayers – that is the problem,” he said.

“Council is keeping it’s head in the sand and not doing anything independently to address concerns of residents and ratepayers.”

Dr Silcox also found support from City councillors, who went behind closed doors to push through a resolution backing the City’s current assessment process of its chief executive.

Just before 11pm, councillors voted 9-4 to note the electors’ motion but advise that “the council has a robust annual statutory review process for the chief executive officer’s performance and all matters relating to performance will be considered on the next occasion of review”.

Dr Silcox disagreed with Mr McLerie’s comments about the City’s ability to deliver for residents.

He said he was humbled by the support.

“I am honoured to be CEO and part of a team, who despite experiencing insult, abuse and at times harassment from some customers, remain strong,” he said.

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