City Council dismisses staff member for serious misconduct

26 April 2005

The Christchurch City Council has dismissed a staff member for serious misconduct.

Dr Lesley McTurk, the Council’s Chief Executive, says the staff member was dismissed for falsifying an invoice for payment.

The offending was detected as a result of stringent internal controls imposed in the past year, Dr McTurk says.

The invoice was intercepted before there was any loss of money to the Council. The falsified invoice was for a sum under $1000.

Dr McTurk says the incident highlights that the tighter controls introduced around council finances are working. Any irregularities are detected quickly, she says.

“The new systems, based on best financial practice, mean that Council staff are now operating in a very open and accountable environment. Most of our staff appreciate these controls and are very supportive of the changes made.”

Dr McTurk says all staff are aware of the serious consequences for breaching these controls.

She says she is confident that the case was an isolated incident. “It would be very difficult to breach the Council’s controls as the systems ensure irregularities are easily detected. I have the utmost confidence and trust in the vast majority of our staff,” Dr McTurk says.

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