31 January 2002
CLOSED WORKSHOP ON DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN
Hutt City Council will tonight (Thursday 31 January) hold a closed workshop to enable Councillors to be briefed on a
very preliminary version of the Draft Annual Plan (DAP).
Hutt City Council Mayor John Terris said the workshop was being held to allow chief executive Rik Hart and senior
managers to brief councillors on the Draft Annual Plan in an environment of free and frank discussion.
"There should be no suggestion that we are making any decisions in secret or behind closed doors.
"The workshop is an opportunity for councillors to put questions to council officers without being tempted to grandstand
or engage in point scoring - unfortunately something that tends to happen when some have an audience," said Mayor
Terris.
Hutt City Council is the only local authority in the Wellington region that routinely admits the public and media to
workshops.
"The approach taken by Rik Hart in this DAP differs in presentation from previous annual plans and reflects his priority
on developing sustainable economic development policies that will ensure Hutt City continues to be a great place to
live."
"There will be plenty of opportunity for public debate on what the Plan contains, my wish is that that debate is as
informed and constructive as possible."
The DAP sets out Council's spending over the next financial year and includes $4.1 million for new capital spending.
The Local Government Act (LGA) states that every local authority shall hold such meetings as are necessary for the good
government of its district. The Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act sets out the requirements and
procedures in relation to any Council or Council committee meeting, including the requirements regarding admission of
the public. Workshops fall within the ambit of section 45(2) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings
Act, which states that any meeting of the local authority at which no resolutions or decisions are made [italics added]
is not a meeting for the purposes of Part VII of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.
Note to editors: Public consultation process on the Annual Plan (all open to the public)
13-14 March Two day Council session where DAP is formulated and approved 11 April-17 May Public consultation 5-6
June Hearings where members of the public can speak to submissions 19-20 June Council formulates and approves
Annual Plan
ENDS For further information please contact: Name: Kirk MacGibbon Position: Communications Manager Hutt City Council
DDI: 04-570 6940 Email: kirk.macgibbon@huttcity.govt.nz