Central Coast Council CEO David Farmer performed better than satisfactorily and mostly achieved the actions and achievements contained in his performance agreement, an annual review has found.
A performance agreement for 2024/25 has also been developed and agreed upon – but the gate left open for new councillors to amend after the September 14 elections.
The review of Farmer’s performance was conducted on August 5 as required under the Local Government standard contract for general managers.
In this review, Farmer received an overall rating of 4.05 out of a possible five.
The score fell into the “mostly achieved“ rating and was considered a better than satisfactory rating as considered in the contract in the Office of Local Government guidelines.
Farmer was appointed to the role of CEO of Council on April 12, 2021.
He replaced the current Administrator Rik Hart who had been Acting CEO since November 2020 when the Interim Administrator Dick Persson appointed him.
A new contract term for Farmer was entered into in April this year which will take him through to April 11, 2029 before his contract expires.
Administrator Hart and independent member Cath Roach, who is managing director of SINC Solutions Proprietary Limited, conducted the review.
Council said Roach had significant experience in the local government sector including governance, administration and working with elected bodies .
Farmer submitted a self assessment prior to the review and he was given an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the past 12 months and summarise his achievements against the set targets.
The administrator and the CEO also discussed goals and objectives for the next review.
“It is noted that pursuant to clause 7.3 of the contract, the performance agreement can be varied from time to time during the term of the contract,“ a Council statement said.
“Should the newly elected governing body establish a performance review panel and the panel wishes to discuss variations to the agreement with the CEO, this is contemplated in the contract”.
The review panel noted that the CEO had entered into a new contractual arrangement in April 2024 and total remuneration package was reviewed at that time with no changes made.
Farmer earns $531,298 a year.
The performance details were confidential for both the review and the agreement for 2024/25.
The CEO performance review was recommended to be noted at the August 27 ordinary council meeting.
See previous stories: https://coastcommunitynews.com.au/central-coast/news/2023/12/five-more-years-for-council-ceo/
Merilyn Vale
Anyone who is paid $500k and is supposed to be managing the city for the benefit of the ratepayers – and neglects the essential service infrastructure such as roads water and sewerage
– well what can I say
At the very least he he should get 0/5 and his income plowed into those essential services