They are not expecting an immediate answer, but a majority of Dunedin city councillors yesterday publicly put the question to those in charge of beleaguered council companies Delta and Aurora.
Twelve councillors and Mayor Dave Cull yesterday supported a motion to ask council-owned Dunedin City Holdings Ltd (DCHL) to ''urgently advise'' whether it still had confidence in the chairman and board of Delta and Aurora.
Cr David Benson-Pope included the question in a notice of motion to a council meeting yesterday.
The notice follows news of three separate investigations, including one by DCHL, launched into the infrastructure maintenance company and the lines company which are both in the spotlight amid claims they failed to deal with dangerous power poles.
Cr Benson-Pope said there were some difficulties with the ''niceties of the relationship'' between the council and its holding company, which meant discussion of the issue had to be with DCHL, something with which he had no issue.
Delta and Aurora answer to their board, which answers to DCHL.
But Cr Benson-Pope said the question needed to be asked in public to make sure the public knew the council was concerned about it.
Cr Christine Garey said the community was looking to the council to deal with the issue.
''This gives a clear signal we share those concerns.
''The answer may take some time, but at least we're doing something.''
Cr Andrew Whiley did not support the motion, telling the meeting DCHL was already taking the appropriate action by investigating the problems with the two companies.
The motion passed 12-3, with Crs Whiley, Doug Hall and Mike Lord voting against.
