Invercargill City Councilors met this morning in an extraordinary public council meeting to discuss the final version of an action plan that councilors have been preparing at the request of top Department of Internal Affairs official Anita Balakrishnan. 

On 18 August, Ms Balakrishnan wrote a letter to the Mayor and the Chief Executive expressing her concern at the ICC’s ability to effectively govern after seeing multiple reports in the media highlighting “significant conflict among elected representatives and the Chief Executive.”

From left, ICC Independant Evaluator Mr Robertson, Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Chief Executive Clare Hadley

She requested an independent evaluation, a summary of the key issues impacting councils performance, a clear plan on how the council will address the issues, including a timeline for how success will be measured and finally a summary of key decisions for the LTP that council need to make by June 2021.

On August 25, independent chair of the ICC’s risk and assurance committee Bruce Robertson was appointed to assist the council through this process.

This morning’s report titled ‘Progress update on plan for department of Internal Affairs’ was discussed during the public session of the council meeting on Friday (September 4).

It delivers everything requested by Ms Balakrishnan, but it is already coming with hefty price tag.

The Chief Executive, Clare Hadley said she initially estimates the training of councilors and the hiring of Mr Robertson to be $70,000 and this figure could increase.

“At this stage, I estimate an extra $70,000, that is to cover the time for the evaluator, Mr Robertson, and for additional training that I’ve provided for in the draft plan at this stage.”

The ‘draft plan’ submitted in the report, includes a list of issues and actions needed to address them as well as a time frame for each issue is to be resolved. 

One of the issues listed is additional training.

The following areas for training have been highlighted as a need:

-Standing orders

-Chairmanship

-Making Good Decisions

-Mediation

-Media training

The report then read; “At this stage, the only work that can be estimated is the cost of Mr Robertson’s involvement, the evaluation, and the initial training programme…once adopted, the budget will be subject to version control so that it can be regularly updated by council.”

Councilors also adopted the recommendations ‘Terms of Reference’ for the independent evaluation process and the ‘Draft Plan’ for progress on the issues and for updating the DIA. 

The ‘List of Key decisions’ was also adopted.

The public session of the meeting lasted around 15 minutes before councilors moved to go into public excluded to discuss to two late items - ‘Appointment of an independent evaluator’ and ‘Summary of key issues’ by Mr Robertson. 

A draft report to Mr Robertson and council’s leadership group is expected in the week of October 12 for their feedback. 

Then, the final report is to be presented at a full council meeting on Tuesday October 20 or Thursday October 22. 

This report will also be provided to the DIA.