By Lauren Henry

Horsham Rural City Council is on the hunt for a new chief executive after Sunil Bhalla resigned.

A statement released by the council yesterday morning said Mr Bhalla and council had ‘mutually agreed to part ways’.

Councillors had a special meeting at 5pm on Monday where the chief executive’s employment was discussed in confidential matters.  

The process to appoint an interim chief executive is already underway.

Mr Bhalla’s resignation is effective as of this Friday.

It follows a troubled few months for council – it failed to adopt its annual Budget before the June 30 deadline, prompting a Local Government Inspectorate investigation; councillors publicly criticising each other and Mr Bhalla; and Local Government Minister Melissa Horne appointing a municipal monitor.

Late last month, the Australian Services Union, ASU, hosted a meeting where council staff moved a motion of no confidence in the ability of Mr Bhalla to manage the council and protect staff health and wellbeing.

In a letter to Mayor Robyn Gulline and councillors, ASU organiser Billy King wrote the motion related to concern about the chief executive’s leadership style and the ‘impact of that style on that ability’.

The letter outlined staff feeling intimidated, belittled and fearful at work and in their public life; being questioned and abused by members of the public because they work for council; and that Mr Bhalla had ‘an obligation for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff’ but had ‘not done anything to address this awful situation’.

The ASU has also notified WorkSafe about ‘psychosocial hazards in the HRCC workplace’.

ASU secretary Tash Wark said while council did not directly respond to the letter, it was clear member solidarity and an overwhelmingly supported vote of no-confidence had contributed to Mr Bhalla’s decision to leave.

Ms Wark said there was now an opportunity for HRCC management to rebuild a relationship with its workers based on respect and recognition of safety in the workplace. “The ASU is proud of the conduct of its members and other workers in the HRCC in taking a principled stance against managerial misconduct,” she said.

“Workers who were brave enough to speak out on behalf of their fellow employees should feel honoured to have brought about change in a swift and dignified way.

“There is no room for a managerial style which attacks morale and encourages bullying, and the resignation of Mr Bhalla speaks to the commitment and resolve of those workers.

“The ASU looks forward to working with the new management at Horsham Rural City Council to improve the culture and make the workplace one where workers feel valued and safe.”

Mr Bhalla joined HRCC as chief executive in March, 2018, and then signed a four-year contract extension in 2023 – set to end in 2027.

Under Mr Bhalla’s guidance, council has secured more than $20-million in state and federal government investment in infrastructure projects for the municipality.

“I believe it’s time for change. This provides the opportunity for the incoming council to appoint a new CEO and continue the revitalisation of Horsham,” Mr Bhalla said.

“I am very proud of the work my team and I have done in Horsham over the last six-and-a-half years. We have been on a change journey to build a forward-looking and inclusive organisation, with a culture of accountability and transparency, delivering best value for our community.

“Our staff are committed and passionate about their work, and despite the growing financial pressures, they work hard every day to deliver the best services to our community.”

Mr Bhalla thanked the mayors he had worked with – former Crs Pam Clarke and Mark Radford, and current Cr Gulline – for their ‘leadership, at times under very challenging circumstances’.

“I admire their passion, commitment, and pursuit to get the best results for our community. I thank all the current and former councillors that I have worked with for their support,” he said.

“I also want to thank my colleagues at numerous state government agencies, businesses, community groups, and our neighbouring councils who I have worked with for their support,” Mr Bhalla said.

He said he planned to spend more time with family and pursue other interests, including establishing a charity
to support the welfare of girls in India.

“My wife and I have been working on a plan to set up a small charity to help girls from disadvantaged families in rural and remote communities in India with their education. I intend to now focus on launching our charity foundation,” he said.

Cr Gulline thanked Mr Bhalla for his service and contribution.

“We greatly appreciate the expertise and knowledge that Sunil has brought to this organisation during his time at council and wish him well in the future,” she said.

“Under Sunil’s leadership, we have seen remarkable progress in our infrastructure projects and community services that will have a lasting impact into the future.

“It is essential for our Wimmera Mallee region that Horsham is a progressive regional city that attracts investment and people through opportunities and liveability. 

“Sunil’s strong focus in this area has been instrumental in council gaining funding for the delivery of generational projects.”

RELATED: Sunil Bhalla resigns from Horsham Rural City Council

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