The severance figure was disclosed in the draft annual report, released on Thursday. It is not known if Mr Morris was also allowed to retain any items such as electronics.
Severance for 2023-24 amounted to $128,650, with three other employees paid amounts of $20,000, $8650, and $10,000.
Mr Morris resigned suddenly on March 7, 2024 and left the same day.
In July, the Greymouth Star requested figures related to any monetary settlement reached, and whether Mr Morris was able to retain any items or other perks. That request followed revelations that the similar resignation of Westland District Council chief executive Simon Bastion netted him a $190,000 payout — and a vehicle.
Mr Bastion was almost immediately employed as the Buller District Council’s group manager regulatory services, while Mr Morris is now the chief financial officer at the Central Otago District Council in Alexandra.
When the Grey council declined to release the information the Greymouth Star complained to the Ombudsman, but the council continued to withhold, saying: ‘‘In withholding the information we have considered the public interest in this matter and our decision not to release the information has been based on the following: There is a reasonable expectation of privacy between council and the individual concerned; the individual would be easily identifiable; the consequences of disclosure could be harmful to the individual as this may damage their reputation or affect their chances of promotion or employment; it may also expose them to unwanted, unwarranted or unfair public scrutiny or attention.’’
The council also contacted Mr Morris for his views on releasing the information, and he indicated releasing it ‘‘would be a breach of agreement between them and council’’.
Meanwhile, the payment was disclosed in the draft annual report, which was released this week, six months late.
An annual report must state the amount of any severance payments made in the year to any person who vacated office as the chief executive, the number of employees to receive severance payments, and the amounts of each severance payment.
Over the previous five years the Grey District Council paid out just two severances, both in 2022-23, amounting to $12,800. — Greymouth Star
By Meg Fulford
