Mayor Glen Rowlands to retire as Mayor but as a minimum will see out the Council term

Before closing the 18 May 2021 meeting of Council, Mayor Glen Rowlands advised his fellow Councillors that he will be retiring as Mayor at the end of the June Council meeting, but confirmed he will remain an Elected Member until at least the end of the Council term in November 2022.

Mayor Glen Rowlands said, “I make this decision as part of a succession process that I have practiced in previous business roles”.

“My retirement is not about health, it is about attempting to having continuity from one Council to another while following the road that my fellow Councillors and I have laid over the last 7 years”. “Now is the perfect time for a leadership change as we have set a strong direction for Council through our 2030 Strategic Plan, it also allows continuity with the opportunity for another Elected Member to gain experience as Mayor before the November 2022 Council Election”.

“A part of the role of the Mayor requires keeping our community connected to the Local Government Association, State and Federal Governments and with our neighbouring Councils”. “In the last 12 months I feel I have let some of these connections go, my energy and capacity is waning”.

“I will be taking extended leave over July and August but will remain an Elected Member until the end of the Council term”.

“I apologise for the surprise but I inform you tonight to allow time to think about who you want to lead the Council as Mayor through to the next election”. “If you want to know more about the role I’m more than happy to chat”, said Mayor Rowlands.

Deputy Mayor Simon Rothwell said, “I would like to thank Glen for all his hard work and dedication as Mayor”. “His passion and commitment to the role and community has been commendable”. “He will continue to be a valued Elected Member for the District Council of Yankalilla”.

The next morning Mayor Rowlands addressed Council staff and emotionally advised of his decision to retire as Mayor.

Mayor Rowlands told staff “I started my role as Mayor in November 2014, naïve about Local Government and its processes”. “I had a lot to learn, and there was a lot to get done”.

“My journey would not have achieved as much as it has without the staff doing what they do, their dedication, passion and willingness has been awesome”. “For a small Council to have the quality reputation Yankalilla has with its peers is a credit to the staff, we punch way above our weight, I hear so many positive comments about what we all do, and the professional way in which staff conduct themselves”.

“I really appreciate the way I was welcomed, and I have always felt part of the team, you all have achieved so much for our community”. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, I will still be around but just in a little different capacity”, said Mayor Rowlands.

Chief Executive Nigel Morris said, “I have had the great pleasure of serving under Glen for the past five years and I have greatly valued our countless chats and what he has achieved for the Council and the community during his time as Mayor”. “Although he may be retiring as Mayor I am pleased we have not lost him from the chamber as he continues as an Elected Member”.

At the end of the June Council Meeting Mayor Rowlands will vacate the chair and a new Principal Member (Mayor) will be chosen by the Elected Members.