Meeting hears sudden Council departure is "poor reflection" on succession planning

A local councillor has criticised Mayo County Council’s succession planning following the recent retirement of Director of Services John Condon writes Paul O'Malley.

Cllr Peter Flynn told last week’s meeting of the Environment and Climate Change SPC he wished Mr Condon, whose brief included the Council’s Environment section, every success in his retirement but his “only beef” with the former Director was the way in which the local authority has handled his departure.

“To find out the day that he is gone that is he gone is not good. It’s a poor reflection on the organisation and its succession planning,” he said.

“For someone with his knowledge to be just gone from the building before we know it is not acceptable.”

He said Mr Condon was a “fountain of information and knowledge” and these comments were echoed by other members of the SPC. Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Sean Carey said Mr Condon had a great record working for the Council over the past 40 years.

“He was always so accurate in the information he would provide and everyone took his opinion on board, that was the regard he was held in by all,” he said.

“He left without telling us much about it but hopefully we can do something for him in the future.”

Mr Condon’s role will be filled in the interim by Ann Moore, who paid tribute to her predecessor.

“I want to wish John and his family all the best for the future,” she said.