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Board calls for clarification of its role within council

Barry Barbour
Barry Barbour
The Mosgiel Community Board is calling for clarification of its role because members feel it has been "jolly rogered" by the Dunedin City Council.

The "saga", as board chairman Bill Feather called it at the board's meeting this week, started when Otago Polytechnic sought to secure new premises in Mosgiel for its community learning centre, as part of a strategic partnership with the council.

The idea of housing the centre in the foyer of the Downes Room at the Mosgiel library was raised.

A report outlining this and other options went to the community board before going to the community development committee for consideration.

The board's deputy chairman, Barry Barbour, said that the board unanimously decided to "totally oppose" the use of the foyer in favour of a $20,000 conversion of the library's men's staff toilets as a space for the centre.

However, when the matter reached a full council meeting last month, it was decided using the foyer was the best option.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said partnerships with government organisations embraced the sort of "lateral thinking" the council needed to use in the context of the city's digital strategy.

Despite attending the meeting and believing he had indicated he wished to speak, Mr Feather was incensed at what he felt was his lack of opportunity to address the council.

"The process that was taken creates and threatens dissension," he said.

Mr Barbour questioned the board being elected in the first place if it was going "to be treated in that way".

"I believe that as the board, we've been jolly rogered, with no consultation whatsoever," Mr Barbour said.

Board member Martin Dillon described it as "the most shocking display between council and community board".

"This is a prime example of where community boards are, in relation to the city council," he said.

He wanted a review on the role of community boards within the council.

Councillor Syd Brown said he supported the board's view, but the council's decision was democracy in action.

The board did not have a "strong position in relation to the decision", but it did "in terms of the process", Cr Brown said.

Mr Cull said he was happy with the process behind the decision.

"Some of them [community board members] are not happy, but you can't please everyone," he said.

He also believed the board's view that library space should be altered to accommodate the learning centre was "clutching at straws a bit", as spending $20,000 was not easy to justify.

As far as consultation went, the council "went out of its way" to understand the board's view both during and after the committee meeting, partly "out of respect" to the board.

Mr Feather was not asked to speak at the full council meeting because as he understood it, Mr Feather was there to answer questions and none were raised, Mr Cull said.

The council's constitution and standing orders for community boards will be circulated for the board's information.


Community boards

Definition of a community board
• An unincorporated body; not a local authority; and not a committee of the relevant territorial authority.

Role of board
• Represent, and act as an advocate for, the interests of its community.
• Consider and report on all matters referred to it by the territorial authority, or any matter of interest or concern to the community board.
• Maintain an overview of services provided by the territorial authority within the community.
• Prepare an annual submission to the territorial authority for expenditure within the community.
• Communicate with organisations and special interest groups within the community.
• Undertake any other responsibilities delegated to it by the territorial authority.

Powers of board
• Delegated to it by the relevant territorial authority or prescribed by the Order in Council constituting its community.
• May not acquire, hold, or dispose of property; or appoint, suspend, or remove staff.

Source: Local Government Act 2002


ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz

 

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