Council to advertise for new chief executive next week

The search for a new chief executive for the Gore District Council has taken a step forward.

The council released a statement yesterday saying it would advertise for a new chief executive next week.

Councillors and the senior management team met a recruitment agency yesterday to talk about the process and timeline to find a new chief executive.

Gore District Acting Mayor Keith Hovell said the council was looking forward to getting the recruitment process under way.

The council hoped to interview potential candidates early in the new year, he said.

The council has unanimously approved, in principle, key components of an agreement that will see chief executive Stephen Parry stay as interim chief executive.

Mr Parry was due to finish next Tuesday after 22 years at the helm of the council. He agreed to take the role of interim chief executive after deputy chief executive Rex Capil resigned to take up a senior role at Invercargill City Council.

Mr Parry has been in the spotlight for the past year after having a falling out with new Gore Mayor Ben Bell and then over calls for Mr Parry to resign.