Sandy Graham. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON An extended ‘‘exorcism’’ of Sandy Graham’s misconduct serves little purpose given her imminent departure from Dunedin City Council’s top job, a councillor says. Yesterday, the Otago Daily Times reported council chief executive Ms Graham was issued a formal warning after a council decision-making committee found her behaviour amounted to misconduct. The finding was reached after an investigation by Maria Dew KC in 2024 into a complaint lodged by then deputy chief executive Leanne Mash. Allegations relating to Ms Graham swearing often and making ‘‘inappropriate comments’’ to the complainant about staff and elected representatives were substantiated in part, the council said. The ODT asked all councillors about the matter yesterday. Few wished to comment — Cr Russell Lund said councillors had been asked not to comment publicly. Cr Andrew Simms had been vocal about the issue before he was elected, but yesterday said the recent appointment of chief executive Richard Briggs meant the ‘‘finish line’’ was in sight. ‘‘We’ve got two months to run. ‘‘I just want to get the new guy in and get on with it really. ‘‘I don’t think much is to be achieved from any extended sort of exorcism, I suppose.’’ Last month, the council announced Mr Briggs’ appointment to the role for a five-year term from October. Ms Graham did not seek an extension to her contract and will leave the organisation the same month. Cr Simms said the culture change he believed the council ‘‘desperately needed’’ — and which he hoped Mr Briggs would bring — was not restricted to one person. ‘‘I think it’s just been an environment that’s existed in that building for far too long. ‘‘As with any organisation, that doesn’t make for a good outcome for the ratepayers if it’s not a functioning workplace.’’ Cr Lund said councillors had been asked ‘‘not to engage in any public commentary’’ by audit, risk and assurance committee chairman Bruce Robertson. Yesterday, this was ‘‘reinforced’’ by deputy mayor Cherry Lucas. Cr Lucas declined to comment. Cr Lund said changes were needed ahead of Mr Briggs’ arrival and setting the chief executive’s key performance indicators should involve all councillors, he said. The council had not previously disclosed the findings of the investigation into Ms Graham’s behaviour — public confirmation of the committee’s finding of misconduct came after the ODT complained to the ombudsman about requests for information being denied. The ombudsman ruled the council was justified in declining to provide the information, but a summary should be released to satisfy public interest. Cr Jo Galer said it was ‘‘a pity it took this directive from the ombudsman in response to a journalist’s inquiry to highlight the process issues publicly’’. ‘‘The highest level of accountability and transparency to the public must always be delivered by this council into the future.’’ The committee, which accepted Ms Dew’s findings and agreed misconduct had occurred, comprised then-mayor the late Jules Radich, councillor at the time Bill Acklin and Cr Marie Laufiso. ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz
