New council sworn in, Peck is deputy mayor

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 610, 31 October 1995, Page 1

New council sworn in, Peck is deputy mayor

The newly elected Ruapehu District councillors were sworn in at their inaugural meeting in Taumarunui last Friday. Outgoing mayor, Garrick Workman, handed over the chains and robes of office to in-coming mayor Weston Kirton who then took the oath of

office before each of the 16 other councillors took it in turn to attest the declaration of commitment to the Council requiredof all members. Weston

Kirton thanked Garrick and Maureen Workman for their dedication and efforts over the past two terms of office which involved "almost a 24-hour a day commitment". Councillors then elected Cr Bob Peck as deputy mayor after he was nominated by Cr Graeme Cosford and seconded by Cr John Compton. In proposing Cr Peck for deputy mayor Cr Cosford - who had been deputy mayor during Garrick Workman' s last term of office - said that he believed the position should be occupied by a councillor from a southern ward and Cr Peck had proved himself a diligent and fair-minded councillor who had the interests of the entire district at heart. Cr Bob Vine also supported the nomination saying that "the vote on the day" showed that Cr Peck had the numbers which indicated strong community support. (Cr Peck was the second highest polling candidate for the mayoralty in the recent elections). In accepting the position, Cr Peck said that it would be very difficult to Turn to Page 2

New council sworn in

FROMPAGEl follow the previous deputy mayor, Graeme Cosford, and he assured the council that he would not favour either north or south. Mayor Kirton, in stating his objectives for his 3-year term of office, said he had a good team to work with and

was proposing to hold more work-shop sessions. He also wanted to establish better communications with community boards and improve contact with the public ..."this has got to improve and my door is always open".

Standing to speak opposed Mayor Kirton told councillors that he won't stand for "chattering" between councillors while he was chairing a meeting or while another councillor was speaking and that, in future, all councillors must stand while addressing the chair. Several councillors objected to this ruling but Mayor Kirton quoted stand-

ing orders which confirmed his stance. Chief executive, Cliff Houston, reminded councillors of their legal obligations under the Local Government and Meetings Act of 1987. He said that council can only operate within the constraints of the law. He reminded councillors about their contractual arrangements with council and said that they must not

seek to obtain any particular personal advantage to themselves through their position on council. He also told councillors tnat tne generai presumption relating to all determinations and decisions made by council should be made available to the public except where it infringes the privacy .of an individual or the terms of the Privacy Act.