A council’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the person who heads up a local council’s organisational structure. It has been said that the ability for a Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to work together for the advancement and management of community issues is key to staff culture & development, community consultation, and issues management.
In “Political Management in Australian Local Government: Exploring Roles and Relationships between Mayors and CEOs” it is stated that:
“The working relationship between the Mayor as the leader of the council and the chief executive officer (CEO) leading the council organisation is one of the most important relationships in local government.”
A good working relationship between the Mayor and CEO is critical to a healthy organisation and its capacity to make decisions in the best long-term interests of the community.
If the two leaders cannot work together, there will need to be a change. And most often it will be the CEO who will leave. The financial cost to the community of this departure is significant and the recruitment process is time consuming and expensive. As well, the uncertainty that the departure of a CEO brings to council staff can lead to concern about job security, fear of exploring innovative ideas that might seem controversial, and divert their focus from their daily tasks.
Different Styles and Personal Connections
It is only natural that both leaders will have their own management style and strategies for accomplishing their goals. And when the coordination and effort of officers (CEO and council staff) and community representatives (Mayor and Councillors) do come together, the result is productive council performance.
The Noosa Experience
Until February 2022, Noosa Council had just two CEOs in the last 30 years (excluding the amalgamation period). Both were respected for their knowledge, experience, and leadership qualities.
In March 2023, a new CEO tendered his resignation after a productive 14 months to become CEO of the much larger Moreton Bay Regional Council. Noosa Council has been fortunate to have an Acting CEO bringing stability and leadership to the organisation until a new recruitment process is undertaken after the elections.
Looking Ahead
There are legislation and protocols governing the Mayor/CEO relationship and the relationship between Councillors and staff. Under the Act, Councillors cannot give any direction to staff but the mayor may give direction to the CEO consistent with strategies and policies ratified by the council. Candidates for the CEO role are familiar with these protocols, but new mayors and Councillors are not usually equally well informed. It takes time to understand how local governments work.
At the local government elections being held on 16 March 2024, I am standing as a candidate for the position of Mayor of Noosa. As many of you know, I have been the Deputy Mayor of Noosa for 8 years, and prior to amalgamation in 2008, I was a Councillor for a part term. I have served with four different Mayors, Bob Abbott, Noel Playford, Tony Wellington and Clare Stewart and have had professional relationships with the four CEOs who have held that position during this time. If elected Mayor of Noosa, I fully understand the importance of a productive and effective working relationship with our Acting and new CEO.
I am confident that I have the experience to effectively deliver results that meet community expectations. I have never been a member of a political party and can act without any party political influence.
–Frank Wilkie
Deputy Mayor, Noosa Council
0413 530 587
frank@frankfornoosa.com
