Narrabri Shire Council has retained a recruitment company to find a new general manager.

“Following the resignation of the former general manager, council has been very well served by our interim general manager Robert Ball,” said mayor Ron Campbell.

“Unfortunately, Mr Ball has other commitments and has to leave on June 17.

“We really appreciate what he has done and the way he has fitted so well into the organisation.

“Fortunately, we have been able to engage Glenn Inglis (Tamworth), to replace Mr Ball as an interim general manager,” Cr Campbell said.

“Mr Inglis has already spent some time in Narrabri over the years as an interim GM and is highly experienced and known to many of the staff.”

Mr Inglis will start at the council on the Monday following Mr Ball’s departure.

“The process of employing a new GM can be drawn out,” the mayor said. “We may need Mr Inglis for another two to three months and he is available for that period.

“The process of engaging a new general manager through the experienced recruitment firm is very comprehensive,” Cr Campbell said.

“The whole of council will be engaged in the recruitment process, and obviously, we are looking for the best possible GM available,” Cr Campbell said.

“Our councillors have the skillsets and the experience to select wisely on behalf of the community.

“The new GM will need to have many skills and experience in the local government sector.

“Narrabri shire, as we know, has a very bright future which we have been working towards.

“We need someone to lead that charge into the future and also, importantly, someone who can create a team atmosphere and a healthy work environment.

“He or she needs to have a strong finance background and business acumen.

“The new general manager will quickly recognise that the Narrabri Shire is not some western backwater, it is a thriving community with a great future,” the mayor said.

“The challenges of the Special Activation Precinct, Inland Rail, the mining industries, distribution and negotiation of Voluntary Planning Agreements and the business of council are just some facets of the role.

“The new GM will have interim accommodation available, a new vehicle and an attractive package, which we need to offer in this environment. Everyone would recognise that it can be very hard to find and engage quality staff and employees in this very competitive environment.

“Most businesses in the community have those issues, and we certainly recognise that.

“A strong package is necessary to find the right person.

“It is very important from council’s perspective that we engage someone as soon as possible to ensure that we have continuity and build on the foundations that already exist,” the mayor said.

“We have fantastic staff all working very hard.

“It is council’s responsibility to ensure stability and confidence for both staff and the community in its selection of this very important GM role.”

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