Did outgoing council boss receive golden handshake?

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger has been cautious with his words over the the sudden resignation of council chief Dawn Baxendale.

Baxendale resigned on November 6 and is currently on leave, but won’t return before her official last day on November 30.

In an interview with Chris Lynch Media, Mauger declined to comment on whether Baxendale received a severance payment.

It’s likely a non-disclosure agreement might be in place, but this doesn’t prevent media from seeking details under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

“At the moment our interim CEO is Mary Richardson, and we're very lucky to have her because she's got experience and she's happy to step up to the role,” he said.

There has been some speculation that staff dissatisfaction with the council's direction, highlighted by a negative internal survey, may have influenced Baxendale's resignation.

The council, however, has not commented on this.

When asked about who is responsible for staff morale, Mauger admitted his role in it.

“It certainly comes back to me a bit. It's sort of the chief executive, it's everyone really, but it starts from the top and I hold myself to be the person that needs to assist the chief executive in making sure morale is high.

“Back in the day when I worked for the drainage board, staff morale was extremely high. People would bleed for the Council but things have quietly gone downhill since then.

"And that's my job along with the chief executive to make sure we get better so we'll be all hands to the pump.”