New Kapiti Coast Mayor Guru made the provisions in Section 14 of this Act a feature of his campaign — and all the candidates for the Waikanae Ward seat, except Michael Scott, did too.
It’s worth citing this Section in its entirety with certain phrases underlined:-
14 Principles relating to local authorities
(1) In performing its role, a local authority must act in accordance with the following principles:
(a) a local authority should—
(i) conduct its business in an open, transparent, and democratically accountable manner; and
(ii) give effect to its identified priorities and desired outcomes in an efficient and effective manner:
(b) a local authority should make itself aware of, and should have regard to, the views of all of its communities; and
(c) when making a decision, a local authority should take account of—
(i) the diversity of the community, and the community’s interests, within its district or region; and
(ii) the interests of future as well as current communities; and
(iii) the likely impact of any decision on the interests referred to in subparagraphs (i) and (ii):
(d) a local authority should provide opportunities for Māori to contribute to its decision-making processes:
(e) a local authority should actively seek to collaborate and co-operate with other local authorities and bodies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency with which it achieves its identified priorities and desired outcomes; and
(f) a local authority should undertake any commercial transactions in accordance with sound business practices; and
(fa) a local authority should periodically—
(i) assess the expected returns to the authority from investing in, or undertaking, a commercial activity; and
(ii) satisfy itself that the expected returns are likely to outweigh the risks inherent in the investment or activity; and
(g) a local authority should ensure prudent stewardship and the efficient and effective use of its resources in the interests of its district or region, including by planning effectively for the future management of its assets; and
(h) in taking a sustainable development approach, a local authority should take into account—
(i) the social, economic, and cultural interests of people and communities; and
(ii) the need to maintain and enhance the quality of the environment; and
(iii) the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations.
(2) If any of these principles conflict in any particular case, the local authority should resolve the conflict in accordance with the principle in subsection (1)(a)(i).
Clearly, the way the KCDC has been run during the years of the Rowan-Church & Dougherty Dynasty has fallen short of these requirements. The two mayors mentioned were both turfed out by voters — and is what the new council should do with Dougherty.
Guy Burns of the Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board says that all KCDC documents, baring certain confidential ones, should be on the KCDC website and we agree. The website, however, like most KCDC documents, is very difficult to negotiate and needs professional redesigning.
As long as he reduces rates and shuts down the water meters – otherwise he will be a one time mayor.
A big problem for reducing Rates is Dougherty’s debt blow-out — as Guy Burns says, it won’t be long before it is up from $140 million last year to $200 million. Significant cuts to Dougherty’s Empire would, however, keep Rates at the level they are now.
Three of the new councilors — Howman, Vining and Benton — are unknown quantities while James Cootes of Otaki in the campaign made clear he was a Church/Dougherty supporter, so rule out any hope with him.
Our hunch is that the new council will see the water charges as a cash-cow. In about 6 years from now the water meters will shut themselves down, though, because the high salt content in the Kapiti soil will corrode them by that stage. We have to make sure they are not replaced!
Waikanae Watcher… I’d address you by name but can’t as you use an alias…
I’m intrigued to know where in the campaign I “made clear I was a Church/Dougherty supporter”? Given that I didn’t run a campaign? Could you please enlighten me?
Ah Councilor Cootes of Otaki, it’s nice to know that you or an associate has in interest in Waikanae, our blog even.
You can say “Dear Eva, Geoff, Brian and Judith” if you wish.
You were certainly very fortunate that you didn’t need to run a campaign like every other council candidate had to — we hope that will be different in 2019, if of course you decide at that stage politics still appeals more than baking and Porsche cars.
You posted comments on the KCDC 2016 Candidates and Issues Facebook page and in your comments in response to Guy Burns’ post on Church & Dougherty’s calling security and police to stop someone filming his statement at the final council meeting of the past triennium you made abundantly clear that you supported them in this — only a supporter of theirs generally would have made the comments you did.
We’ll be closely following what this new council does and will be reporting who says what so you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate what you think of Dougherty.
Thanks for the reply although I do not agree that that makes me a supporter of either.
My role is to represent my community and I’ve worked hard to do that for the last 9 years and will continue to do so. In the instance you raise, my view was supporting adhering to standing orders. Why have them if we aren’t going to adhere to them? Politics doesn’t appeal to me at all to be honest, helping people and bringing positive change is what really drives me 🙂
The standing order regarding filming at council meetings referred to merely states that the chairman is to be prior notified — which from two witnesses, happened at that meeting concerned (you weren’t there) — and that the the filming be unobtrusive — the picture in the Dominion Post showed a small handycam on a bamboo tripod.
Will you agree to an independent performance audit of the council? That will be evidence of what your attitude towards Dougherty is.
— Geoffrey Churchman, co-ediitor
Hi Geoffrey, you are correct in that I was unable to be at that meeting regretfully having to attend a funeral.
However I have watched the entire video where Mr Walker states himself in his own words that he didn’t notify the Chair of his intention to record. Now don’t take my word for it… readers can see for themselves here at 3 minutes 45 seconds into the video https://www.facebook.com/bobkiwicelt/posts/1802603226621574
Now standing orders 3.3.8 (c) Any recording of meetings must be notified to the chairperson at the commencement of the meeting. I also asked the Mayor Ross Church who categorically stated Mr Walker did not notify him as Chair.
Now I personally have no issue with individuals filming and if it had been a meeting I was chairing and he hadn’t notified me I would have approached him prior to the meeting myself and asked if he intended to film if he hadn’t asked. I think what is of more concern is that 6 weeks previously the same thing happened and Councillors asked for legal advise on the Standing Orders and that was never provided. That is a concern and something I intend to raise.
I’m assuming by your final comment you are referring to an “Independent Performance Audit”? rather than Independence Performance Audit? If you’re familiar with the process you’d be well aware that me simply “agreeing” to one does not mean that I can “get one” as it would need to go to a vote and have the support of sufficient Councillors. That being said I’m not going to simply do something in order to prove to you or others my attitude to Dougherty. I was elected to serve the people and if I don’t do that then I’m sure my community will remember that when it comes to the next elections should I choose to stand again. I also raised your question with the Mayor today and there would be cost implications to have a report done and that would have to be considered against any return on that “investment”. That being said you could always come along to public speaking and raise the question and reasoning and see if you have support around the table? Hope that helps 🙂
We have a welcome clean sheet of paper now. Give the new Council and Mayor some time to breath and let the ink dry before making conclusions….