General manager’s shock resignation

Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Bob Pynsent advised councillors and staff on Monday morning that Ms. Rosser had resigned, effective immediately.

Council’s group leader built and natural environment, Gareth Curtis has been appointed as temporary general manager until the full council makes a decision.

An extraordinary council meeting will be held tonight and will move to a confidential session for council to consider its options in relation to filling the vacancy.

“I wish to assure the rate payers and residents of Cessnock that the resignation will not affect the everyday business of the council or the services that the council provides,“ Cr. Pynsent said.

“We need to make sure we get the best person possible for the people of Cessnock.

“People want an end to the legal case – the costs – so we can get back to business.”

Ms. Rosser, who arrived at the council in October 2010, has been involved in a long-running court battle with a group of councillors and has survived a number of votes of no confidence during her tenure.

She also recently terminated the council’s enterprise agreements, a move that council asked her to withdraw after a Mayoral Minute at last week’s meeting.

United Services Union Northern Region manager Stephen Hughes labelled Ms. Rosser’s decision to terminate the agreement a “provocative act” that concerned the union’s members.

Cr. Pynsent’s Mayoral Minute also asked that the council express its support for meaningful negotiation in relation to new enterprise agreements with council staff; and that in the event no enterprise agreement is reached by June 30, 2013 council agree to the provisions of the existing enterprise agreement being extended to apply in the interim until a new agreement or January 31, 2014 (whichever occurs first).

Cr. Pynsent said Ms. Rosser’s resignation leaves council “to broker the best agreement between the union and the staff”.

“That workplace agreement has been in place since the ‘90s; that longevity is enough support for its workability – every agreement gets little tweaks, but you don’t have to throw it out.”

Cr. Pynsent said the Industrial Relations commissioner will visit Cessnock in May to discuss the agreements.