Mason’s final day at the council was January 16. She will start her new role as chief executive at The City of Onkaparinga in South Australia on February 16 – earlier than the March 23 date announced in late December.
Mason resigned on December 18. But Onkaparinga had already appointed her chief executive in a confidential meeting a week earlier, which was not publicly announced until December 22, and just hours after Selwyn councillors had met to discuss her resignation in what has been described in council minutes as an emergency meeting.
Selwyn councillors were not aware she had already taken the South Australian job when they decided to allow her not to work out all of her three months notice.
This meant Mason was entitled to a $57,380 payment in lieu of notice instead of requiring her to work until March 13.
But Selwyn Times can now reveal councillors did not ask in the confidential meeting at 9am on December 22 if she had a new job, or the reasons Mason was leaving.
Councillors only found out about her new job when Onkaparinga council sent out a media release later on December 22.
Councillor Tracey Macleod told Selwyn Times she did not think it was the right time to ask questions in the confidential meeting.
Macleod said the meeting was to discuss Mason’s notice period not ask questions about Mason’s reasons for leaving. Macleod told Selwyn Times an exit interview was the place for questions.
Mayor Lydia Gliddon chaired the meeting.
Macleod said knowing about Mason’s new job at the meeting would not have changed her decision to allow Mason to exit early with the payment.
Macleod would not talk about the specifics of the meeting because it was confidential.
The council has refused to release minutes from the meeting to Selwyn Times under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, saying: “We have considered whether the public interest outweighs the grounds for withholding and do not consider that it does in this case”.
But councillor John Verry said on reflection he should have asked questions at the meeting.
"I would have had more questions and pushed harder,” he said.
However, Verry said he still stood by his decision to allow Mason to go early.
Mayor Lydia Gliddon would not say if Mason had told her about the Onkaparinga job or if she asked Mason before it was announced.
Gliddon said the council still stands by the decision.
"Council decided unanimously to terminate Sharon’s contract early due to the need for stability and continuity through the council’s forward agenda, which include Annual Plan and significant Government Reforms,” she said.
"Having a change of CE in March would not have been appropriate given this council agenda.”
The council appointed Steve Gibling as interim chief executive last week and confirmed a salary of $330,000, compared to Mason’s salary of $374,000.
Gliddon said Mason was contractually entitled to the payment in lieu of notice and said it was normal for executive contracts.
"I think what is important is it is not a payout, it is a payment in lieu of notice. We are required under the employment contract and employment law to make this payment.”
Deputy mayor Brendon Shefford said he did not ask why Mason was leaving. He not elaborate. Other councillors spoken to by Selwyn Times claimed they could not tell the public what had happened in the meeting because it was confidential.
Mason’s appointment in 2023 was decided by the previous council, but only former mayor Sam Broughton was privy to specific details, including her notice period.
Gibling said he was committed to supporting the council, staff and community through this transition.
“I’m honoured to take on this role and work alongside our dedicated team. My focus will be on ensuring stability and delivering on the priorities that matter most to Selwyn residents,” he said.
Gibling was a senior manager on the Buller District Council. Mason was chief executive there before coming to Selwyn.
Gibling served as Buller’s interim chief executive before he took up a senior position at Selwyn.
