At yesterday’s council meeting, the council revealed it would move forward with three main committees, and seven sub-committees for the next triennium — a decision which did not "sit well" with all councillors.
Previously, it operated with four main committees, including the executive committee, and five sub-committees.
The performance, audit and risk (PAR) would be retained as a main committee, and was joined by district licensing and hearings, which were elevated from sub-committees to main-committees.
Independent member Simon Neale would head the PAR committee, and councillor Jim Hopkins would lead the hearings and district licensing committees.
Returning sub-committees included harbour area, led by councillor Jeremy Holding; development contributions, led by councillor Guy Percival; and grants and awards, led by new councillor Rebecca Ryan.
New sub-committees included development contributions (Cr Percival); district plan review, roading contract (both Cr Jim Thomson); chief executive employment, and council controlled organisation shareholder (both Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher).
Mr Kircher said a large workload lay ahead of the council and the structure would be reviewed in six months.
While some changes were positive for the future, Cr Percival said removing the assets committee did not "sit well" with him.
"I can’t quite come to grips with why we’re not retaining the assets committee, which has the responsibility for the largest expenditure [roading] of this council.
"I don’t think we’re going to get, regardless of the assurances I’ve had, ... the information we need to make good decisions.
"I am pleased that there will be, I hope, an intense six-monthly review of this whole process."
Mr Kircher acknowledged the loss of the assets committee was a major change, but did not believe the council was disadvantaged by it.
"I don’t see any reason that we won’t get the same information that we had in the past.
"It is up to us as well — as elected members — that we need to make sure the process allows everyone to [feed] in," he said.
Mr Kircher said Mr Neale was appointed as the council was committed to openness and looking how to improve.
"Having an independent chair of PAR shows our commitment in this respect.
"The skills and experience Simon brings will contribute significantly to the council moving forward and serving our residents well in a time of multiple challenges and opportunities."
The council planned to have meetings every two weeks, instead of six, to ensure reports could be decided on with more regularity.
