Tempers have flared at an Invercargill City Council meeting during which the mayor accused a councillor of "throwing grenades".
Cr Ria Bond said at a council meeting yesterday she took exception to the recording of minutes and a perceived conflict of interest at a July 26 meeting.
That meeting was held specifically to discuss a code of conduct matter arising from Mayor Nobby Clark’s behaviour on television show New Zealand Today, and was chaired by deputy mayor Tom Campbell.
She was also worried about a lack of declarations made by those councillors who had entered the chambers under the mayor’s Let’s Go Invercargill ticket with shared costs of over $5000 each.
"I feel disappointed that this may give the perception to the public that our integrity, transparency and fairness is compromised.”
Cr Bond said yesterday she was concerned motions put forward by chairman Cr Campbell — who was one of five who entered on the mayor's ticket — might have given a perception that motions were predetermined.
A heated debate then ensued with Cr Campbell accusing Cr Bond of casting aspersions.
Cr Campbell believed the matter of the election ticket had already been cleared up at the July meeting.
Cr Alex Crackett’s comments about there being a monetary advantage for those in positions selected by the mayor was also cut down by Mr Clark.
"You’ve raised this with me very early in the term. You can’t start throwing grenades around like that,” he said.
Mr Clark then said he regretted allowing Cr Bond the opportunity to read out her statement, which was challenged by Cr Lesley Soper.
"I’m sorry Mr Mayor but a simple request to change a couple of sentences in the minutes to record what it would appear everybody is agreeing was what was conveyed at the time seems like a reasonable request," she said.
Ultimately, the minutes were left on the table so council staff could watch back on the livestream and capture what happened more accurately.
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
