City Council CEO transition not unusual - Christchurch Mayor

28 May 2003

The situation with the changeover in chief executives at Christchurch City Council is not unusual with senior management positions, says Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore.

Mike Richardson told the City Council last year that he did not intend to reapply for his position and the Council began a process to find a replacement. A decision to appoint Dr Lesley McTurk was made early in the new year and it was agreed soon afterwards about how the changeover would occur.

It is common practice where an appointment is made for there to be a transitional period where both persons are in office so that knowledge can be transferred from the outgoing person to the new appointee, Mr Moore says. This was arranged for a two month period for the benefit of the Council. If Dr McTurk needs to consult Mr Richardson on anything to do with Council operations, he is available to assist her until the end of June.

" In these senior jobs a change often happens a month or two before the incumbent's contract ends and the employer confirms it will honour the contract up to its termination date,” says Mr Moore. “It's standard practice. The contract was there to the end of June. The Council had to meet its commitment. "

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