Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Chief Ombudsman: new report wakeup call for council leaders

The Chief Ombudsman says his latest report into official information practice at local authorities is a wakeup call for all council leaders about the importance of an open and transparent workplace culture-and their accountability for achieving that.

Peter Boshier today released Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act compliance and practice at Christchurch City Council. He began his investigation during the tenure of former Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards, who left the Council in June this year.

Mr Boshier says his investigation identified serious concerns among Council staff about the behaviour of some members of the Executive Leadership Team to keep negative information from elected members and the public.

‘During my investigation, a number of staff from different parts of Council raised concerns with me about the behaviour of some members of the leadership team. I found the CE’s failure to take adequate action in response to these concerns was unreasonable.’

‘I have made the formal recommendation that Christchurch City Council immediately review the leadership team’s involvement in controlling the flow of information to the public and elected officials, to ensure an approach is adopted that is consistent with openness and transparency. I have suggested a number of actions to help achieve this, starting at the top.’

‘The Council has acted swiftly in response, providing me with a thorough improvement plan and already putting several of its points into action.’

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

I’m confident that the new Chief Executive and leadership team is serious about ensuring the behaviours identified during this investigation will not be tolerated at Christchurch City Council,’ Mr Boshier says.

Mr Boshier says his investigation also identified positives in LGOIMA practice at Christchurch City Council.

‘Timeliness is commendable, and the Council’s LGOIMA team provide excellent support when responding to requests. The website provides very helpful information, and systems and staff have coped with a steady increase in LGOIMA requests’, he says.

‘Nonetheless, a perception existed among staff that some leadership team members were not supportive of openness and transparency. Accountability for this ultimately rests with the Chief Executive, as does the culture within the Executive Leadership Team.’

‘I acknowledge the former CE’s statement that she considers she took appropriate action in response to staff concerns, and that she hadn’t known about some of the issues identified in my investigation.’

‘However, comments from staff from more than one part of Council indicated that the problems continued to occur, and a perception of secrecy existed. The Chief Executive is ultimately accountable for this’.

‘Where senior leaders role model behaviours that show a clear commitment to transparency, a culture of openness will follow. This also highlights the importance of staff feeling able to raise issues with their senior leaders in order to speak freely without fair of reprisal. It is imperative senior leaders take the time to listen and be open to hearing bad news.’

‘I will be closely monitoring Council’s progress on its improvement plan. I thank all staff, elected officials, and members of the public who took part in this investigation. I believe that Council has now put the building blocks in place to regain the trust of staff, elected members and the public, and that it is committed to creating an environment that promotes openness and transparency.’

Information on timeframes

The investigation LGOIMA practice and compliance at Christchurch City Council began in late 2018, during the tenure of former Chief Executive Dr Karleen Edwards. Dr Edwards left the Council in June 2019.

Acting Chief Executive Mary Richardson responded to the Chief Ombudsman’s provisional opinion, discussed the opinion with incoming Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale, and developed the improvement plan to address the Chief Ombudsman’s formal recommendation.

Dawn Baxendale took up her new role in October this year. The Chief Ombudsman will closely monitor progress in implementing his recommendation and suggested action points.

Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act compliance and practice at Christchurch City Council

ENDS


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.