Perth council blocks CEO return as investigation continues

A motion to bring back City of Perth chief executive Michelle Reynolds from suspension has failed.

At the City’s ordinary council meeting on Tuesday night, a notice of motion was put forward by councillor Catherine Lezer to bring Reynolds back from leave “effective immediately”.

The council voted to suspend Reynolds from her duties as chief executive in May and enact an acting chief executive after a confidential meeting was held by Local Government Inspector Tony Brown.

The motion was spoken about behind closed doors due to confidentiality concerns, but the decision was read out shortly after.

“We did have some debate on that item. Ultimately, there was a move under the standing orders … that the council defer considerations of the motion to a later stage,” Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said.

“That later stage being at the conclusion of the workplace investigation and at such time as options are presented to the council to consider following conclusions of that workplace investigation.”

With Brown in attendance, Lord Mayor Reynolds said he wanted to “make clear” what the council decision means.

“The decision to defer should not be interpreted as a particular view of the council in respect to this matter,” he said.

“Council has determined that it’s appropriate to consider the matter at a later time when it is in a position to do so. I acknowledge the significant community interest in this matter and the correspondence elected members have also received

“Council also has obligations concerning confidentiality, procedural fairness and employment matters, and these obligations necessarily limit what can be said publicly.

“So tonight, council has determined that the motion presented for consideration will be deferred and considered at a later time. Beyond that, it would not be appropriate to comment on any elements concerning confidential employment matters.”

The decision comes days after it was revealed that Reynolds had emailed councillors just minutes before a scheduled committee meeting, offering “late advice” on a live compliance issue.

The email , tabled at an Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting on August 10, was sent from Reynolds’ work account at 3.49pm, just 11 minutes before the meeting was due to begin.

This masthead asked the City of Perth what restrictions applied to Reynolds’ communications, whether she was authorised to give advice on agenda items, and whether the email was a breach of her suspension.