City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath's leave has been extended until after the September council election.
Councillors were informed via an internal confidential memo dated July 26 that the CEO's previously advised leave had been extended by a month "to align with the professional studies he is undertaking which have been extended for an additional four weeks".
A spokesperson for City of Newcastle said the CEO's professional studies were "entirely self-funded, including travel, accommodation and tuition fees".
"Like all employees, the CEO is entitled to take leave," the spokesperson said.
"This is the third consecutive year the CEO has taken a break during winter and the fourth time he has undertaken professional study overseas since commencing in the role in 2017."
Mr Bath has been on leave since June 20 and was due to return to work at the end of August, but is now due to return at the end of September.
The local government election will take place on September 14.
He alerted councillors on June 7 via memo about his impending leave.
The council's chief financial officer and executive director corporate services David Clarke has been acting in the role of CEO since June 20, which was the case when Mr Bath took leave in winter 2023.
Mr Clarke will continue to act in the role until Mr Bath's return.
The CEO will be on leave for the four week caretaker period for the council election. The caretaker period begins on August 16 and runs through to September 13.
During the caretaker period the council, CEO and other council delegates are prevented from entering into contracts equal to or greater than $150,000 or 1 per cent of the council's revenue from rates (whichever is the larger), determine controversial development applications except where doing so would give rise to a deemed refusal, or appoint or reappoint the council's general manager (except for temporary appointments).
Editor's note: an earlier version of this story said Mr Bath was initially due to return to work at the start of August, however this has been updated to say end of August.
