Tauranga City Council's long term plan has been approved for public consultation this week – but Councillor John Robson says the process of preparing the plan has exposed internal weaknesses within the council.
The long term plan is a statutory exercise that councils are required to undertake every three years, and is the first one undertaken by the current council.
According to one councillor, "internal weaknesses" have been exposed due to the council's long term plan.
The process requires councillors to consult the public on where they think Tauranga should be in ten years' time, and how it is going to get there.
John says the process of preparing the plan over recent months has exposed 'significant weakness in our systems that it is incumbent on us to work to address that.”
He wants the next plan the council prepares – the annual plan – to be significantly less painful for staff in terms of the workload and the degree of stress they are placed under.
'I support the document,” says John, 'but I believe we, as elected members, have work to do on weaknesses revealed in the process of delivering this document.”
Some 290 pages of supporting documentation will be available on the council's website during the consultation period for public reference. Legally, the council does not have to consult on the supporting documentation, only on the draft policies.
The consultation document is the result of changes to the Local Government Act 2014, intended as a means of communication with the community about the long term plan.
It is audited and intended to produce a document precise enough to encourage people to read it, and with enough information so people can come to an informed opinion on the issues involved.
The public consultation process runs from March 20 to April 20, 2015.
Changes introduced in the consultation process this year include an e-book and increased encouragement of online submissions.
Because of a growing online emphasis, there will be only a limited number of hard copies printed.
While the changes to the LGA have allowed the council to included social media into the formal submissions process, they will still be counted as informal because TCC is not yet able to handle it.
4 comments
Less work and stress for staff ...
Posted on 19-03-2015 08:18 | By Murray.Guy
Can only mean further eroded democracy, more secret meetings, greater delegation to staff from elected members, reduced consultation and reduced input from Councillors and perhaps a $10,000 travel voucher for all staff! John, a 10 year budget at $180 million a year requires work, will have associated stress from time to time, for which senior employees are well remunerated for. I respectfully suggest you focus on representing your community and the stress it has and is to endure, look at ways to enhance democracy rather than the continual erosion.
Processes?
Posted on 19-03-2015 12:31 | By YOGI BEAR
Less stress on staff? Not really sure what that means, really the whole thing is a joke, want the job, want the over the top salary and no stress, no worries, sounds like dreamland to me ... hmm oh well it is isn't it. A job for life and all that.
Whining councillor.
Posted on 19-03-2015 19:47 | By dgk
Cr Robson, while you're at it, can you arrange for highly paid stress free jobs for the rest of us as well. Yeah right! Come on Robson, being transparent and accountable to those who pay your salary (i.e. the ratepayers) is not meant to be an easy job. Just do it already.
@ Murray and John
Posted on 19-03-2015 20:00 | By Councillorwatch
All very well for Murray to criticise secret meetings but the council he was on bought a Speedway business for a secret amount didn't they? If John can reduce the amount of bureaucracy and process in the annual plan good luck. But the biggest thing he should address is councillors who make up their mind before submissions. I personally think some past councillors had already made up their minds and just went with staff recommendations. Maybe a reader can come up with examples. At least with John we have the opportunity to claw back his salary if he doesn't satisfy. Maybe Murray will have to get used to his failing to be re-elected at the last election and that his attempt to get back in at the Mount byelection didn't succeed either? Never mind, given his love for the Mount he can always run there again next time.
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