Gore’s golden handshake: Parry leaves with $290k and a car

Saturday, 22 June 2024

Former Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry left the council in May with a payout totalling more than $290,000 and a vehicle.

Mayor Ben Bell said he would not comment on the payout “because I don’t want to get us into any trouble”.

A council spokesperson said in a statement that there was an agreed settlement between Parry and the council, and the following was provided to Parry to resolve employment matters:

Parry retained his council-owned cellphone and phone number after finishing employment.

Stephen Parry was the Gore District Council’s chief executive for more than 22 years.

The council transferred ownership of a council vehicle valued at $25,000.
On receipt of invoices from Parry, the council agreed to contribute towards the cost of professional development up to a maximum of $6000 plus GST to be taken by the end of 2024.
Parry received a payment totalling $287,414. This figure included a payment equivalent to 10 months’ gross base salary, a compensation payment, and a contribution to his legal fees.

The council would not release details about the make, model and year of the vehicle.

Gore mayor Ben Bell with interim chief executive Stephen Parry at Parry’s last council meeting on April 23.

Bell said he believed the vehicle was a Ford. “It wasn’t a particularly new one. He was down for a refresh, which he didn’t take.”

The value of the vehicle was its book value, meaning what it was worth to the council, and staff members who had a council car took a salary sacrifice to have one, he said.

A council spokesperson said the value of the vehicle, which was five years old, was set after market research and independently from staff.

Bell said the payout was unbudgeted expenditure that would be funded by rates or debt.

Parry contacted Stuff earlier this week, saying he understood details of the settlement had been released and he would not be commenting.

Parry arrives at the Invercargill courthouse in May during the inquest into Lachie Jones’ death. The council retained Parry as a contractor to attend the inquest after his employment ended.

He resigned from the council in September last year and left early, citing “untenable circumstances” over a dispute about a letter with Bell.

His last day of employment at the council was May 10, although he was retained as a contractor to oversee the inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachie Jones on the council’s behalf.

Last week Stuff revealed details of a $2000 farewell party the council threw for him, including that three councillors who were invited to the party were “asked to refrain from attending”.

Details of the payout come after a 10-month dispute involving the Ombudsman’s Office.

In September last year Stuff filed a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act for all correspondence relating to the resignation of or severance payment for Parry.

The council declined the request, citing privacy issues. In response, Stuff filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against the council’s decision, saying the payout was funded by public money and it was in the public interest for the details to be released.

The Ombudsman’s Office investigated, and the council was instructed to provide details of the former chief executive’s settlement to Stuff.

It discussed this in committee at a council meeting on June 4 and released the information on June 14.

It is understood Parry also consulted with the Privacy Commissioner in an attempt to keep the details of the settlement confidential.