Mayor has ‘absolute faith’ in general manager after Frank Nott resignation

Sharon Webb

Four Meander Valley councillors were highly critical of former Councillor Frank Nott at their September meeting for saying he’d left the council having ‘lost confidence’ in general manager John Jordan.

In a barrage of criticism lasting more than four minutes, the councillors labelled Cllr Nott’s comments as ‘unwarranted’ and ‘misguided’.

Cllr Nott is a highly experienced local government councillor who spent nine years on Launceston Council and was elected as deputy mayor there. After only two years on Meander Valley Council he resigned at the end of August.

At September's meeting Councillors Deb White, Stephanie Cameron, John Temple and Rodney Synfield were silent while Cllrs Wayne Johnston, Michael Kelly, Tanya King and Andrew Sherriff read from prepared notes to castigate Cllr Nott and reiterate their ‘faith’ in Mr Jordan.

Cllr Stephanie Cameron questioned the author of the councillors’ speeches.

‘This might offend some people but I’m just wondering, Cllrs Kelly and Sherriff and the mayor, who helped you to write your statements?’

The mayor Cllr Johnston snapped, ‘I did my own Cllr Cameron thank you!’

Asserting he didn’t want to detract from Cllr Nott’s service, Cllr Johnston then ripped into the absent former councillor.

Responding to Cllr Nott’s comments that he had been ‘stymied, gagged from speaking’, Cllr Johnston said, ‘I do not accept his view at all.

Deputy mayor Cllr Michael Kelly said,’ I think Frank Nott’s public criticism of the general manager is unfounded and poor form to say the least.’

Cllr Tanya King said, ‘I’m saddened that Frank took the opportunity to make unnecessary and unwarranted comments.’

Cllr Andrew Sherriff extended his criticism to this newspaper for its story on Cllr Nott’s resignation.

‘It’s another example of poor journalism and editorial integrity when such statements are reported in such a manner without a right of reply.’

Cllr Johnston also said, ‘I note yet again the council was not given an opportunity to present its side of the story.’

In fact the Gazette contacted Cllr Johnston on the night of Cllr Nott’s resignation and printed Cllr Johnston’s comment in full. Mr Jordan could not be contacted because it was a weekend, and at no time since the resignation has the council contacted the Gazette to comment further.

As the four councillors heaped praise on him, Mr Jordan kept his eyes on the table in front of him.

The councillors said he had led the municipality through the ravages of COVID-19 and created a ‘contemporary’ council structure.

‘I for one have absolute faith in the general manager,’ said Cllr Johnston. ‘Those who know him will understand he is motivated solely by the best outcome for the community. He is hardworking and brings no personal agenda to the table.’

Cllr Kelly said, ‘I also have absolute confidence in the general manager, who has managed the challenges of COVID, a restructure that councillors asked for, a prison and more.’

Cllr Tanya King said, ‘I concur with the mayor and deputy. I think our general manager has done a fantastic job. At very short notice and not long after he started here he’s navigated us through COVID and a pandemic with a team of people he barely knew.’

Cllr Nott is the third disgruntled Meander Valley councillor to resign in three years, following Cllr Andrew Connor and Cllr Susie Bower.

At the meeting in response to a question from Westbury resident Peter Wileman about a media report on Ms Bower seeking legal advice over an internal council matter, Mr Jordan replied, ‘Ms Bower is reported as having made certain disclosures about a Code of Conduct complaint against her.

‘The complaint was being managed by the local government panel in accordance with due process. That process was suspended when Cllr Bower resigned.’