The recruitment process for the top job at MidCoast Council will be the focus of councillor conversations and consideration at an extraordinary meeting of council on January 16.

Councillors Peter Epov and Kathryn Bell requested the meeting on January 2 and under the council’s code of meeting practice, a meeting must be called within 14 days.

Crs Epov and Bell advised council:

“We the undersigned councillors, call on you to convene an extraordinary meeting of the MidCoast Council within 14 days for the purposes of:

1. To formally accept the resignation of the general manager Mr Glenn Handford.

2. To appoint an acting general manager.

3. To determine the process and timetable to recruit a new general manager.

4. To discuss and determine any other relevant business in relation to recruitment of a new general manager.”

The extraordinary meeting will be held at 2pm at council’s Forster office.

The need to recruit a new general manager follows the shock resignation of Glenn Handford on December 20. Mr Handford advised council that he resigned to take up a position in the private sector. 

Mr Handford will not receive a termination payment from council and his last day will be Friday, February 2.

In the meantime, Steve Embry, director corporate and business systems is acting general manager and Mr Handford is working with him and council staff on handover. Mr Embry holds this position until council considers on January 16 who will act in this role while the recruitment process is undertaken.