QUESTIONS about Frankston Council CEO Dennis Hovenden’s whereabouts this month have led to accusations of media intrusion into his family life.
The Times first asked council’s media and communications department on 11 November about the CEO’s absence and did not receive an answer until a media release from mayor Cr Brian Cunial was issued last Thursday.
Cr Cunial previously said he was unable to confirm Mr Hovenden’s whereabouts (“CEO’s mystery trip ‘overseas’”, The Times 21/11/16), but was more detailed in his 24 November statement.
The mayor revealed Mr Hovenden had attended an International City/County Management Association event in the US before staying overseas for a personal holiday.
“The leave to attend an ICMA board meeting for three days was approved during the caretaker period as part of an approved arrangement of the previous council,” Cr Cunial stated.
“Mr Hovenden then proceeded on personal annual leave as part of his leave entitlements available to all council staff.”
Cr Cunial then went on to say that “the intrusion on Mr Hovenden’s family life is abhorrent and deeply regrettable”.
The report in The Times did not make any mention of Mr Hovenden being accompanied overseas by any family members.
The mayor said ratepayers did not pay any expenses for Mr Hovenden’s overseas trip this month.
Mr Hovenden also visited Kansas to attend an ICMA event in September.
The Times has been requesting details of that trip, the names of any accompanying council staff and any cost to ratepayers, for the past six weeks.
Council finally confirmed on Friday that communities general manager Gillian Kay, acting council CEO this month, also made that September trip to Kansas to attend an ICMA board meeting with Mr Hovenden on 23-24 September.
The Times was advised no further information would be provided until after Mr Hovenden’s return from the US.
In his statement issued last week, Cr Cunial said: “It would be highly inappropriate to comment on an individual’s personal annual leave arrangements or their whereabouts without the individual’s permission.
“Council is proud of Mr Hovenden’s representation on the ICMA board and his representation of the Southern Hemisphere. This high profile role provides extensive opportunities to be part of leading policy and implementing innovative practices by other local government authorities.
“We look forward to working with him on the exciting opportunities for Frankston city going forward.”
The mayor said council “gives unreserved support for the CEO” and called “speculation” about Mr Hovenden’s whereabouts an “unsavoury intent to bring disharmony to this council”.
The previous four-year council term was dogged by in-fighting between councillors amid arguments and shouting matches at public council meetings.
More than $35,000 worth of ratepayers’ money – excluding council officers’ time – was spent on arbitration hearings and legal fees when councillors lodged code of complaints against each other.
The ICMA describes itself as “the professional and educational association for appointed local government administrators throughout the world”.
Mr Hovenden is an ICMA regional vice-president and is one of three international board members, and the only Australian representative, on a board with 21 members including 18 council CEOs in the US.
According to its website, the ICMA board met in Georgia on 10-13 November and is due to meet again in Las Vegas in February, Colorado next June and Texas in October next year.
A “conference planners” meeting is also due to be held next month on 2-4 December in San Antonio, Texas.
