Extraordinary Council - 24 Feb 2026 5:30 PM

Topics

• Council approves new General Manager contract
  Extraordinary meeting ends with a decision to reappoint the General Manager on a new employment and salary package.
  Top executive staffing decisions can affect council leadership, administration, and delivery of local priorities.

Decisions

• Move into confidential session for personnel matter
  Council resolved to enter closed session to deal with the Mayoral Minute concerning the General Manager’s contract of employment, citing confidentiality under section 10A(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 1993.
  No direct service change, but it related to senior council governance and staffing.
• General Manager contract approved
  Council resolved to offer Mr Peter Gainsford a new contract of employment and salary package as General Manager on the terms set out in the Mayor’s recommendation, and authorised the Mayor to sign the contract and take any necessary follow-up action.
  Affects council leadership and administration, which can influence delivery of local services and projects.

Discussion

• Extraordinary meeting on General Manager employment
  The only substantive business was a personnel matter concerning the General Manager’s contract, considered in confidential session.
  Residents may note this as an administrative leadership decision rather than a policy or works item.

Impacts

• Council leadership continuity and executive management were confirmed.
• No public spending, planning, infrastructure, or service changes were detailed in the open parts of the meeting.

Places

• Ashfield Service Centre (facility)
  Venue where the extraordinary council meeting was held.

Next

• Mayor to sign the new General Manager contract on behalf of Council
  After the meeting, as authorised by resolution
• Council to give effect to the contract resolution through any necessary administrative action
  Following adoption of the resolution

Extract

Extraordinary Council Meeting 24 February 2026 1 Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 24 February 2026 at Ashfield Service Centre Meeting commenced at 5:30pm Present: Darcy Byrne Chloe Smith Izabella Antoniou Liz Atkins Andrew Blake Jo Carlisle Vicki Clay Jessica D’Arienzo Kerrie Fergusson Mat Howard Victor Macri Vittoria Raciti Philippa Scott Ismet Tastan Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Matthew Pearce Joan Murphy General Counsel Senior Manager People and Culture George Georgakis Tia Camelin Administration Manager Acting Business Paper Coordinator APOLOGIES AND...