Council review process hotly debated

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 656, 1 October 1996, Page 1

Council review process hotly debated

Unanimity was far from the table when the Ruapehu District Council discussed the pro posed review of ihe council' s management structure at Taumarunui on Friday. Not only debating the scope of the review and who should oversee it, sorhe were vehemently opposed to the $30,000 expenditure at all. Also debated was how the consultants would be chosen. Cr Bob Peck asked if it was appropriate to be spending on such an item at present "with the millclosing for a month, the effects of the eruption of Ruapehu" and other damage to the local economy. "Things have changed since June," he said, referring to the time when the review was included in the annual plan. "We're now seven years down the track (since the Ruapehu District Council was formed). It is perfectly healthy to do such a review and will be money well-spent, whether we get a clean bill of health or get indications of where we can make changes," said mayor Weston Kirton. Supporting the review, Cr Bob Vine said ratepayers were demanding it. "I think the council has been run efficiently and would be very surprised if any can of worms is uncovered, but we need transparency." Cr Ellen Gould opposed the review, placing the responsibility of overseeing the management structure on councillors themselves. "A lot of the problem is the level of understanding by councillors of reports. Councillors' confidence in management is the problem." "What if the review showed we could save $100,000?" challenged Mr Kirton. "What happens if it shows we are understaffed — we may need to spend $100,000 more," she countered. " Turn to Page 2

Council review debated

From Page 1 "The point is, we don't know," said Mr Kirton. "Well, we shouldknow," said Mrs Gould. "If we can' t glean that information from staff then what are we dping here?" After a motion to proceed with the review was won by a narrow margin, councillors debated council chief executive officer Cliff Houston's role: whether he should be part of the working party to oversee the project. Mr Houston took offence at some of the comments made, saying the review was not on his performance but on the management structure. "I have already had my contract reviewed," he said. "The chief executive needs to be party to the process to liaise with staff," said Mr Kirton. Finally, motions for the working group to consist of the mayor, deputy mayor and chief executive to 0 versee the project and to shortlist consultant firms was passed by a narrow margin.