General News
23 August, 2024
Union claims CEO no longer has the confidence of his staff, council responds
ASU's vote of no-confidence in CEO, update from HRCC
Updated story - HRCC responds
Horsham Rural City Council mayor, Cr Robyn Gulline provided the following statement in response to claims made by the ASU today about the CEO.
"Councillors have received a complaint regarding Council's Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Bhalla, and are taking it seriously.
"Councillors are reviewing the complaint and considering the most appropriate course of action in responding to it.
"Out of respect for all parties, and to ensure that they are afforded procedural fairness, no further comment will be made in respect of this matter at this time," she said.
Earlier statement.
The chief executive officer of Horsham Rural City Council, Mr Sunil Bhalla, no longer has the confidence of his employees and must go, claims the Australian Services Union.
In a statement issued today the ASU said it had written to the mayor and councillors of the City of Horsham urging them to consider the removal of the council's CEO in light of a no-confidence motion passed by employees and ongoing allegations of inappropriate and potentially unlawful conduct.
"At a meeting held on 22 August 2024, council employees, including ASU members and non-members, moved a motion of no-confidence in the CEO's ability to manage the council and protect staff health and wellbeing.
"Employees alleged the CEO had withheld information from staff, delegitimised concerns about bullying and harassment, created and fostered a culture of division and mistrust, undermined employee morale, and failed to address a widespread number of issues involving mistreatment, bullying and proper employment protocols."
"The mayor and councillors at Horsham have an obligation under the OHS Act 2004 to protect the employees of the council from the kind of treatment and abuse they are alleging is taking place," ASU secretary Tash Wark said.
'The ASU has been calling for an investigation - and action - at Horsham Rural City Council for months and nothing has been done.
"We support the employees in their motion of no-confidence in the CEO and call on the elected councillors to do their duty and stand the CEO aside.
"Mr Bhalla is their employee, and he must be held not only to account but to a basic standard of behaviour which enables workers to feel safe and secure in their workplace.
"He has not done that," she said.
Statement in response to ASU matter
ASU Representative Mr Billy King said, "The ball is now the mayor and the councillor's court of the HRCC.
"This action followed the late lodgment of the council budget and staff complaints.
"It is not the fault of the staff workers, and we want the community to understand that and not involve the staff. The councillors must deal with the matter," he said.
It is unknown whether the matter will be addressed at the council meeting on Monday, August 26.
The Wimmera Mail-Times has contacted the Horsham Rural City Council for comment and it will be included in this article as soon as it becomes available.