Council boss to reapply

WDC chief executive Mark Simpson

The man at the helm of the Whangarei District Council is going to reapply for his position.

WDC chief executive Mark Simpson yesterday confirmed he would reapply for his role, which is being advertised in newspapers and websites from next week.

Mr Simpson's current employment is under scrutiny after an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruling found he had unjustly dismissed his PA.

The ERA ruled Jan Walters-Gleeson was unfairly dismissed and should be awarded more than $37,000 in lost wages and compensation.

The ERA ruling also found Mr Simpson left himself open to bias criticism, made an untrue statement, conducted a "sham" interview and used double standards during the dismissal process.

Mr Simpson would not comment further yesterday. His current employment contract expires in March.

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai would not comment on his current employment, saying: "Information regarding this is withheld under the Privacy Act, given that this is an employment-related matter."

In November Ms Mai told the Advocate council resolved to advertise the position to ensure a smooth, efficient and correct process was followed, and that Mr Simpson was entitled to reapply for the role.

"In 2011, he (Mr Simpson) competed against 40 candidates from across the country and was selected for the role," she said at the time.

In September, the WDC revealed that its cost for responding to Mrs Walters-Gleeson's claim to the ERA came to $184,609.12.

The cost of an earlier internal council review of her dismissal came to $9059.

The position will be advertised in newspapers as well as on websites such as Seek and Trade Me, from January 17.

Mr Simpson earned $299,000 in the 2013 to 2014 financial year.