A Southern local government chief executive has filed a personal grievance claim against his council after a decision was made not to reappoint him.
Last month, Environment Southland decided not to renew chief executive Ciaran Keogh's contract, prompting him to make a formal complaint.
Environment Southland chairwoman Ali Timms said the Local Government Act required the council to review Mr Keogh's contract six months before its expiry date and gave the council the choice of extending it for two years or advertising his position.
She said the council completed its review of Mr Keogh's performance in the second week of December, as his five-year contract expires in June.
The council held a public-excluded meeting last week to discuss the complaint made by Mr Keogh and what action it would take. Ms Timms said 10 of the 12 councillors attended and unanimously decided to seek legal advice before taking any action.
She did not expect much progress to be made until next month.
Mr Keogh was chief executive of the Clutha District Council from May 2000 to April 2005, before taking up his position with Environment Southland in 2007.
He was also one of three candidates shortlisted for the chief executive position of the Christchurch City Council last year.
