A move to add a traditional codicil noting dissention among councillors to the Tauranga City Council 2014-15 Annual Plan decision was rejected by council yesterday.
The previous council used to add a codicil acknowledging that while not all councillors agreed with the contents of the Annual Plan, they were united as a council in presenting it.
Councillor Catherine Stewart sought to include a statement noting dissention in the council's 2014-15 Annual Plan.
Councillor Catherine Stewart wanted to add the traditional passage to the plan being adopted on Tuesday.
Her motion to add it to the 2014/15 annual plan decision was defeated by other councillors.
It's something that's been in the Annual Plan for the last several years and she was surprised to see it missing, says Catherine.
Councillor Clayton Mitchell supported Catherine saying it was a small token of comfort, and doesn't change the fact there were differences.
But Stuart Crosby says it was a philosophical statement that staff chose to leave out this time to see if the council's culture has changed.
Councillor Steve Morris stating that adding the passage is 'like saying the sky is blue”.
When he got married he and his wife didn't promise not to disagree with each other, says Steve.
7 comments
I agree with Cr Morris
Posted on 25-06-2014 10:13 | By Annalist
Times have changed. Move on from the petty shenanigans of the past. I'm amazed to think that Cr Stewart would think it necessary to include something that is so obvious - not everyone agrees! Go Cr Morris, it's good to see some logical thinking on council. What we need is more talented and able councillors.
This may come as a surprise
Posted on 25-06-2014 10:29 | By Fonzie
to Steve Morris but the council is not a marriage If decisions are going to be made behind closed doors then ratepayers need to know who supports what or else we may not as well have elections and draw candidates out of a hat Think about it Steve and others
Change noted, less transperancy
Posted on 25-06-2014 13:54 | By Murray.Guy
'Council culture change noted' says the headline. Couldn't help but notice the culture change as the Council gets over-run with secret squirrels and egos that would inflate the largest air balloon! In office five minutes and the elected members discourage the community from sharing their thoughts in the Council Chambers, what were open public workshops became 'public and press barred' secret squirrel 'BRIEFINGS', staff had their unbudgeted or consulted delegations doubled, and increasingly the community struggles to know what their elected representatives contribute, collectively and individually. Cr Morris clearly doesn't grasp the concept of transparency and elected members being individually open with and responsible to the community, preferring to focus on the creation of illusions of 'harmonious oneness'!
Please explain????
Posted on 25-06-2014 14:51 | By FunandGames
The Mayors comment "But Stuart Crosby says it was a philosophical statement that staff chose to leave out this time to see if the council's culture has changed" I don't get this statement or its relevance, is the Mayor suggesting councilors are accountable to the council staff? Or was the mayor just making noise again for the sake of it. I believe the councilors should have decided whether to remove the comment not the staff.
Weird.
Posted on 25-06-2014 14:57 | By dgk
So we can have unanimous votes where it isn't, in fact, unanimous. Only in TCC.
Standard Practise
Posted on 26-06-2014 08:37 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
It is standard boardroom practise when it comes to a vote to have the ayes and the noes. Normally hands are counted for each side and duly recorded. Council policy should be the same as business practise.
Murray Guy, ego and transparency?
Posted on 26-06-2014 10:29 | By Councillorwatch
Amazing to me that this former councillor who I think is quick to insinuate about bias and mindsets is critical of a new council that as he writes is in office five minutes? Try looking at Mr Guy's own record of "encouraging" thoughts that disagree with his. Remember the secret deal to buy a Speedway business that occurred when he was a councillor. Then of course there was a capital injection of $5 million to Baypark. I don't agree with everything Cr Morris says but I believe him to be genuine and transparent. I'd prefer his new approach to Cr Stewarts traditional approach any day.
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