31 July 2013

More information sought on options to reduce perceived conflict of interest

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is to explore options to reduce the perceived conflict of interest by councillor directors on the Council’s investment company, HBRIC Ltd.

At today’s council meeting there was discussion around the perception of a possible conflict of interest for Councillor Directors being part of the HBRIC Limited recommendation process around the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme and then taking part in HBRC decision making process on whether or not to invest in the scheme.

Legal advice sought by the Council stated there did not appear to be any legal reasons to alter the current governance arrangements for the board of HBRIC Ltd to address conflict of interest and/or predetermination issues. However in response to views expressed by the mayors of Napier & Hastings Councils it was decided that action needed to be taken to reduce conflict of interest perceptions held from a political viewpoint.

A further report on options to reduce the perception of conflict of interest by councillor directors, including costs and implications associated with those options, will be presented to the August Regional Council meeting.

ENDS

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