Mayor supports less meetings

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 340, 19 June 1990, Page 5

Mayor supports less meetings

Ruapehu Districts Mayor, Garrick Workman, has made the following statement with regard to the change in the council meetings cycle.

At its May 25 meeting Council, after considerable discussion resolved that it would meet on a six weekly basis in future.

In terms of policy input Council was advised it was over the hump therefore a six weekly meeting cycle was appropriate for the consideration of future policy issues and maintaining the interface between Council, Management and Operations. Further, we were advised that the implementation of a six

weekly cycle for Council, Regulatory Committee and Community Boards would enable the better utilization of administrative and managerial resources. Certainly staff have been stretched at times to provide the necessary administrative support for all these meetings given that they have been held on a monthly basis. When

it is considered there are the four Community Boards, the Taumarunui Ward Committee, tiife^ Regulatory Committee and the full Council meetings to service there is no question that Council's administrative and managerial resource has been caught in an endless meeting cycle. This has resulted in a real paper war being created for and by management, particularly for the Area Managers whose time

and efforts could be spent far more productively out in the field . rather than behind their office desks. As well the six weekly cycle has definite cost advantages, a fact that cannot be ignored during this period of financial restraint. For those reasons and for the reason the General Manager is responsible for the overall management of the business Council in accordance with Council

policies and objectives, the decision that Council and the Regulatory Committee meet on a six weekly basis was made. This is a decision I supported and will continue to support provided there is no adverse effect on the Council operation. However, when it came to the question of financial and administrative support for the Community Boards and Ward Committee I was not prepared to support a recommendation that, if passed, would have Turnpage6

Mayor supports less meetings

From page 5 denied these committees the support required to convene monthly meeting without the opportunity of addressing the matter themselves first. For that reason I voted against the recommendation and then used my casting vote in the same manner to ensure that each Board and the Ward Committee received that opportunity. As I write this report only one (Waimarino

Community Board) has considered this recommendation and has resolved most emphatically that it will seek continued administrative support for monthly meetings given the number of issues requiring consideration and the length of time taken in doing so. Once all responses have been received from the Community Boards and the Taumaranui Ward Committee Council will

have to give serious consideration as to whether those boards need to have a different meeting cycle from the Council itself. Really Council is caught in a bind where this whole question of meeting cycles is concerned. The problems of administrative support and the cost of meeting on a monthly basis need to be carefully weighed against the adverse effects that might

occur if meetings are held less regularly i.e. in terms of lengthy agendas and fewer occasions to address or discuss issues. I cannot accept the argument that the future of democracy has been undermined by the decision Council has made on this one. However, I am mindful that there are those who feel perhaps too much responsibility has been delegated to the General Manager and the Management Team too quickly. This decision therefore could be seen as accelerating that process. The reform of local government has brought with it many challenges and many changes. No longer can

we be bound by what has traditionally occurred in the past. We must constantly review and improve or adopt new policies more appropriate to our needs now and in the future. Where meeting cycles are concerned it is envisaged that six weekly cycle for Council and its Regulatory Committee will be more appropriate now and in the future. If, however, it is found that this is not the case and the move has a detrimental effect on our operation I will have no hesitation in urging Council to rethink this decision and revert back to the status quo. G.S. Workman MAYOR