Shadbolt holds firm on sacking deputy

Despite agreeing to go into mediation next week with the deputy he wants dumped, Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt is not in a conciliatory frame of mind.

As far as the mayor is concerned long-serving deputy mayor Neil Boniface is overpaid, overlycapable - and long overdue "to be sacked".

"Deputy mayors can get too big for their boots," Mr Shadbolt told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

"I think he is the only deputy in the country to earn more than the mayor . . . he earns $90,000 and I earn $80,000."

While "extremely capable", Mr Shadbolt said he had lost confidence in his deputy after a three-day delay in which he was not informed of the chief executive being charged for drink-driving.

"I don't mind he is getting more pay, he gets funding for his projects and I don't . . . but he must keep me informed all time."

Mr Shadbolt confirmed he had begun meeting one-on-one with councillors to discuss possible replacements, and had also been asked to attend mediation with Mr Boniface.

The mediation is likely to be held next week and be led by Gore District Council Mayor Tracy Hicks and Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule.

Mr Shadbolt said he could see only one outcome.

"His response should be: `How. . . can I be the deputy mayor if he has lost confidence in me?'."

Mr Shadbolt said he could compile several hundred grievances against his deputy to illustrate why he had lost confidence.

Cr Boniface said while there were "no issues", he would agree to mediation.

Cr Boniface, a councillor for 33-years, said while he had offered to resign at Tuesday's meeting, that offer had been withdrawn and he now wanted to remain in the position.

"I have been a loyal deputy. I have worked my butt off for Tim. I have done good things for the city. Let's stop the squabbling and get on with running the city."

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz