Statement from CEO Simon Overland

STATEMENT FROM CITY OF WHITTLESEA CEO SIMON OVERLAND

Since my appointment as CEO, health, safety and wellbeing for my staff at the City of Whittlesea has been a major focus, while meeting the needs of our community.

This organisation has seen significant improvements and successes in this area over the past 12 months, including our recent recognition by Work Safe for organisational commitment. 

The efforts and achievements we have made together in this area is one of the things of which I am most proud. 

I have consistently attempted to achieve similar improvements in respect to our Council and Councillors.

However, interactions between Councillors, and between some Councillors and my staff, is not in keeping with contemporary requirements to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all. 

Despite many attempts over the past two years, I have been unsuccessful in achieving improvement here, and in many respects the behaviours of some Councillors have deteriorated, therefore increasing the risks to health and wellbeing. 

The situation has been very difficult now for two years, but with recent changes on Council, I now regrettably find my own health and safety significantly affected and accordingly, as of now, I am taking related leave. 

I am unsure about the timing of my return. In the meantime, the City of Whittlesea will be led by the Executive Leadership Team who will continue to drive our core business and key projects to ensure community needs are met.