Thursday 17 August 2017

Council Chief Executive’s reporting line expanded

The Horowhenua District Council has expanded the reporting line of its Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive is the elected Council’s only employee, who in turn employs all other Council staff.

Previously the position reported only to the Mayor, with performance judged by the Chief Executive Performance Panel - made up of elected members.

Earlier this year, during an In-Committee session of Council, Elected Members approved the change in the reporting structure.

Deputy Mayor Wayne Bishop says Councillors wanted to strengthen the reporting lines of the Chief Executive - and despite reports to the contrary, the Mayor remains integral to the process.

“The Chief Executive now reports to Mayor Michael Feyen, myself as Deputy Mayor and Councillor Victoria Kaye-Simmons. The Chief Executive’s Performance Committee remains unchanged.”

Deputy Mayor Bishop says the decision has been made in accordance with the Local Government Act and to provide confidence to the public and stakeholders.

“My colleagues and I believe the new reporting structure will ensure Council is better able to carry out the work and provide the services promised in the Long Term Plan and the Annual Plan,” he said.

“Our District is about to grow by a third. We have many large projects underway, and it is important that we remain focused on how we can accommodate growth and complete projects to improve the lives of residents of our communities.”

David Clapperton, the Chief Executive of the Horowhenua District Council, has approved the removal of the item from In-Committee and has approved this release. The media release is a response to a Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act Request from the Manawatu Standard.

What is “In-Committee”?

The Local Government Act and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act allow for in-committee or public excluded sessions to occur. You can find out more here.

Shouldn’t it have been done in public session?

No. The report was presented In-Committee because of the following reasons:

The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.
s7(2)(a) - The withholding of the information is necessary to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of a deceased person.
s48(1)(a) The public conduct of the part of the meeting would be likely to result in the disclosure of information for which good reason for withholding exists under section 7.

What else was discussed in the meeting?

Another issue regarding the employment of an employee – it relates to another matter, and Council will not release the information as the reasons given for holding an in-committee session of council still apply.

What happens now?

Council’s Local Governance Statement will now be updated as a result of the decision.

ENDS

© Scoop Media