Charges mean shorter meetings

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 407, 8 October 1991, Page 3

Charges mean shorter meetings

Changes to the Official Information and Meetings Act which came into being this month had an immediate effect on the Waimarino Community Board at their meeting on Thursday night. With the rules now making it more difficult to discuss general business or matters arising (from the minutes of previous meetings), the meeting was over by about 9.30pm instead of the consistent 11.00 to 11.30pm end. The new rules are designed to give the general public more opportunity to make their views known on issues to councillors and community board members before they are discussed. Meeting agendas must be available to the public in council service centres, offices and public libraries and an item that is not on the agenda can only be discussed if it cannot be deferred to a later meeting. Board member Winston Oliver said he was concerned with the rule about not discussing matters arising. He said there was often no feedback on recommendations the board made to council.

"I think personally I get more information from and learn more about council business from the excellent reports in our local paper," said Mr Oliver. Council general manager Cliff Houston said he understood Mr Oliver's concern. He said cost was a factor in sending out agendas and reports, and the different meeting cycles also posed difficulties. He

said all agendas were available in libraries and offices. "They are not closed documents," he said. Mr Houston said the new rules did not preclude members making council officers aware of problems and concerns. He said it was very much part of their role to point out problems, but that often the matters did not need to be brought to meetings.