Issues not fault of staff: Calvert

Otago Regional Council chairwoman Hilary Calvert has criticized Dunedin city councillors for their treatment of staff and internal dysfunction. She urged leaders to reflect on their behavior following the departure of chief executive Sandy Graham.
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Local government stability and workplace culture are critical for effective public administration and community trust.
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Hilary Calvert says the Dunedin City Council appears to be functioning well, apart from the councillors. Photo: Supplied Dunedin councillors have been urged to look in the mirror regarding any problems with the way the city council functions.
The pointed advice came from Otago Regional Council chairwoman Hilary Calvert, who objected to city councillors feeling able to ‘‘hound’’ departing Dunedin City Council (DCC) chief executive Sandy Graham.
Ms Calvert said she was speaking as an individual, rather than for the regional council.
‘‘Somehow the councillors seem to have convinced themselves beyond all reason that any dysfunction within the DCC is produced by staff, not themselves,’’ she said in a letter to the Otago Daily Times .
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