In his report for tomorrow’s board meeting, Andrew Simms took issue with the scheduling.
Having meetings two to three months apart meant "substantive issues are emerging and then being dealt with by phone call, text or email, as the matter requires action before the next meeting lest the problem escalates, or the opportunity be lost", he said.
"This does not make for good decision-making or governance."
Mr Simms said infrequent meetings left board members feeling disengaged while increasing the workload for deputy chairman Dean McAlwee and himself.
The board had five meetings scheduled for this year and the chairman said the usual number was typically a little higher.
Mr Simms said the justification for the 2024 scheduling was it had been anticipated councillors and staff would be busy with the council’s long-term plan.
This would make them less able to support community board meetings.
The council has since deferred its long-term plan and has now started preparing for a nine-year version of it, the 2025-34 long-term plan.
Mr Simms said the board "might expect a repeat of the previous logic next year, especially as 2025 is also an election year".
The council’s stance this year might have left boards wondering about their value, he said.
The Dunedin City Council has been approached for comment.
