Changes led to PA's departure

The recent departure from the Nelson City Council of the mayor's personal assistant was the result of organisational changes which have now been completed, council chief executive Keith Marshall says.

Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall has moved office within the council building, and is now on floor 2b by the chief executive's office.

He was previously on floor 2a beside the council chamber.

His personal assistant Marie Johnstone was made redundant in the course of the change and Keith Marshall's personal assistant Sandra Birdling will now also work for the mayor.

The chief executive said there had been several organisational changes inside the council during the past nine months, to better focus on customer interaction and improve efficiency.

"Overall, those changes led to around 20-25 positions being re-evaluated," Keith Marshall said.

"We think it is extremely important to try to minimise job losses as part of a demonstrable commitment to the people who deliver excellent service for the community every day," Mr Marshall said.

"Accordingly, in almost all cases we were able to transfer people into other roles." He said a suitable transfer for Ms Johnstone did not pan out.

The mayor and chief executive's offices had been separate since 1993 to give independence and easier access for the public.

Ms Johnstone, who had held the position of personal assistant for 14 years, said she left with mixed feelings.

She was recently given a large send-off by friends and colleagues, including past mayors Paul Matheson and Philip Woollaston.

She worked first for Mr Woollaston, then Mr Matheson and finally Kerry Marshall.

- © Fairfax NZ News