News Release

25 May 2016

Rotorua’s interests being compromised

Rotorua’s Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson believes the interests of Rotorua are being compromised by the decision of some councillors to not attend tomorrow’s full Council meeting because they deem it not worthwhile going.

“If we can’t effectively conduct council business there will be flow-on effects into the operation of council and possibly other businesses,” says Cr Donaldson, who is to chair the meeting in the absence of Mayor Steve Chadwick. She is representing Rotorua in China, alongside Cr Trevor Maxwell.

In today’s [Wednesday 25 May] Rotorua Daily Post councillors Rob Kent, Mike McVicker and Peter Bentley claimed the Council meeting wasn’t worth attending, to which Mr Donaldson says he strongly objects.

“I am appalled by what I have read in the paper today from some elected officials who are happy to keep their head in the public trough but not partake in the business. They should resign now and take their chances in the upcoming elections.

“As elected officials we are here to represent the community in discussions and decision-making. By choosing to not take part on the basis you believe you are wasting your time, you are not adhering to a fundamental of democracy.

“It doesn’t matter when meeting items are in public or confidential, we have given an oath and are paid to represent the community at the Council table.

“From time to time councillors do miss meetings because they are officially representing Rotorua or are on leave but because you think it’s a waste of time? I’d question just what are we paying them for.

“It’s particularly rich to claim our Council meetings are a rubber stamping waste of time given the strong debates in the creation of the Te Arawa partnership where councillors and members of the public expressed a need for committee recommendations (where there is now iwi representation) to be ratified by full Council.

“In this term Council has shown recommendations or decisions can change. Some of my colleagues have obviously forgotten full Council democratically overturned a committee decision on the fluoride referendum.

“As elected members we all committed in late 2013 to making this Council a more effective and efficient organisation. That’s one off the priorities we all adopted, but this type of political grandstanding does nothing more than slow Council down, drive in added cost and put at risk significant deliverables that need to be met around statutory frameworks.”

Tomorrow’s Council meeting is scheduled for 9.30am in the Council Chamber of the Civic Centre.

However, given the pre-meeting apologies received from Mayor Chadwick (Council business), Cr Maxwell (Council business), Cr Wepa (leave), Cr Searancke (leave), Cr Bentley and Cr Kent, and Cr McVicker’s media statement, it is unlikely there will be a quorum to have a meeting. Seven are required for a quorum for a full Council meeting.

No quorum would result in the meeting and its business being adjourned to another date.

The last time Council did not hold a meeting due to a lack of a quorum was in 2008 when an Audit and Risk meeting had to be adjourned.

ENDS

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