Geoff Helisma

Before Clarence Valley Council’s general manager, Ashley Lindsay, takes a year’s long service leave next year, councillors will have to decide how his position will be filled – Mr Lindsay intends to retire once he has completed his long service leave.

Mayor Jim Simmons said it was likely that a decision, regarding Mr Lindsay’s long service leave replacement, will be made at the September CVC meeting.

“I expect that a recommendation will come to that meeting to be considered by councillors for a resolution as to how they want to proceed,” he said.

“I am assuming and expect that Ashely will confirm his situation after his performance review [is completed].”

Mayor Simmons said it was unlikely that the current council would appoint Mr Lindsay’s permanent replacement, “because I believe that is a responsibility for the new council”, or “put in place an acting GM for any lengthy period of time in November – that being the last meeting before the election [on December 4]”.

“I believe a recommendation or mayoral minute may well recommend someone to the position of acting GM, but that will be a matter for the councillors to adopt,” he said.

“They will express views whether to go out to advertise externally for a temporary GM, or [we] might go internal; it’s a decision for councillors.

“Whatever the decision, I respect the views of my fellow councillors.”

Meanwhile, the mayor said he has “finally” made up his mind not to run for re-election; he said the council “needs some new faces”.

“There are many very capable people out there,” he said.

Cr Simmons said he is “not in the best of health” and that his wife and one of his sons are suffering ill health, too.

“The mayor’s position takes up an enormous amount of time – you are committed and available to attend meetings event Monday to Saturday, inclusive, and often of a Sunday,” he said.

“I’ve [served] five years as mayor and, even if I nominated again and was elected, I could not nominate for the mayoral role again.”