Concerns have been raised over the loss of senior staff at the Dunedin City Council, with councillors questioning the workplace environment amid recent high-profile departures. The issue was discussed during a meeting of the council’s audit, risk and assurance committee on Tuesday.

Councillor Andrew Simms expressed particular unease about the attrition rate among senior personnel, suggesting it might indicate underlying problems within the council’s culture. “I’m very concerned at the attrition rate in this organisation, particularly of senior staff,” Cr Simms said during the session.

The remarks came shortly after the council confirmed that Three Waters, property and urban general manager David Ward and transport group manager Jeanine Benson had resigned. These departures follow earlier losses in the executive leadership team, including Robert West, Jeanette Wikaira, and former deputy chief executive Leanne Mash, who was made redundant.

Council chief executive Sandy Graham, who has served since 2020 and plans to leave in October, downplayed concerns over staff turnover. She will not seek an extension on her contract, which was last extended by a year.

During the committee meeting, employee assistance programme (EAP) statistics were presented, comparing the council’s data with the broader EAP service averages. Cr Simms pointed out that the proportion of issues related to managerial relationships was notably higher at the council, standing at 21 percent compared to the 13 percent average. Similarly, reports of bullying constituted 11 percent of cases for the council, against a 4 percent average service-wide. Workplace safety issues were also elevated at 9 percent versus a 2 percent average.

Cr Simms questioned whether scrutiny by elected members, particularly through what some have described as overly aggressive questioning of staff, may have contributed to the situation. However, Paul Henderson, the general manager of corporate and regulatory services, suggested the “relationship with managers” category may not directly reflect this, noting that the proportion had actually decreased from 25 percent in March to 18 percent in May. He emphasized the confidentiality and general nature of EAP reporting categories.

Efforts are underway to support council leadership in fostering constructive dialogue, Henderson said, highlighting ongoing work to enable challenging conversations to take place in a positive manner.

Mayor Sophie Barker queried a peak in EAP usage in March, wondering if the causes had been explored. Jane Pearce, the council’s health and safety manager, indicated that personal issues reported through the EAP were on the rise, with financial stress among staff a likely factor. The timing coincided with discussions about potential council amalgamations and increases in fuel prices.

While no confirmed date has been set for the next staff wellbeing survey, Henderson said it is expected to occur in August or September.

Separately, at a traffic and parking bylaw hearing on Wednesday, deputy mayor Cherry Lucas and councillors Lee Vandervis and Mandy Mayhem publicly acknowledged Jeanine Benson’s contributions, praising her expertise and professionalism during her tenure.