23 November 2020
Media: Rotorua Daily Post and Local Democracy Reporter
Topic: Long-term Plan workshops
Enquiry
Initial enquiry from Rotorua Daily Post:
Daily Post had received [a] release (see HERE) and asked for response to the following claims made in the release:
- Macpherson was accused of leaking confidential material from the LTP workshops
- That the workshops are 'dysfunctional'
- Bentley's claims about 'wild allegations' about an elected member and what these claims are
- That these 'wild allegations' are a 'personal vendetta'
- That the mayor insisted Cr Kumar stay while others were allowed to leave
- That a 'personal grievance was aired' against Kumar
- Kumar's claims the mayor helped plan the 'ambush'
- Macpherson's claims the LTP presentations are repeats of the proposals first heard at the induction
- Macpherson's claims the LTP is being 'manufactured in secret by senior officials and the mayor's in-group'
- What is the mayor's response to the boycott of future LTP workshops by Crs Macpherson, Bentley and Kumar?
- Can future workshops realistically go ahead with the absence of three elected members?
- What is the mayor's response to Macpherson's statement saying the workshop on Nov 19 'collapsed in conflict'?
- Was Macpherson 'shouted at' by an official'?
These and any other responses the council, and the mayor may have in regards to the claims in the attached RDRR press release.
Subsequent from Local Democracy Reporter:
I've spoken with Councillors Bentley and Kumar and received some clarification to assist with the council/mayor's response, and there is an additional comment below from Cr Bentley for right of reply.
When Cr Bentley refers to the 'mayor's bulldog' he's referring to Shirley Trumper.
When Cr Bentley refers to the 'Lakes poodle' he's referring to Phill Thomass.
We understand:
- A Long Term Plan workshop was held on Thursday November 19 to discuss 'levels of service'
- Toward the conclusion of that discussion, Rural Community Board chairwoman Shirley Trumper said Cr Reynold Macpherson had leaked confidential council information.
- Macpherson denied the claim.
- Cr Raj Kumar attempted to leave but was asked not to by the mayor.
- At this point some other councillors had already left.
- We understand those councillors were Trevor Maxwell and Fisher Wang.
- Lakes Community Board chairman Phill Thomass then spoke, largely agreeing with Trumper's points.
- Crs Macpherson, Bentley and [Kumar]Macpherson walked out of the meeting, as did Crs Sandra Kai Fong and Tania Tapsell.
Can you please advise if any of these points are incorrect, and if so, please correct them.
Additional comments for right of reply from Cr Bentley:
[Bentley] said he believed Trumper's comments were fully supported by the mayor, who could have nipped it in the bud.
Further from reporter:
Just a note, on that last bullet point I repeated "Macpherson" when I meant Cr Kumar. I'd also like to withdraw the last point "as did Crs Sandra Kai Fong and Tania Tapsell".
Have just spoken with Cr Macpherson and received some clarification. This is for your info but also for right of reply:
He says a council staff member allowed Shirley Trumper's complaint about him, regarding this Facebook post (specifically the final paragraph), to be a part of the meeting, which he says was "improper" as he believes the complaint should have gone through the usual complaints process, not a Long Term Plan workshop.
Macpherson also clarified his claims it was a council staff member who "shouted at" him in the workshop.
Response
From Mayor Steve Chadwick:
I don't intend to dissect the statements or claims made but am extremely disappointed three of our councillors are opting out of their responsibilities as elected members to participate in legitimate, appropriate business of Council and democratic decision-making.
The workshops are an important mechanism for councillors and other elected members to explore and discuss options and alternatives, and enable robust and wide-ranging discussion. Workshops are confidential so we can openly explore differing points of view.
Not attending means missing the opportunity to have input and that inevitably means absentees are under-prepared to contribute to later decision-making.
Councils don't start a Long-term Plan from zero. Following last year's elections we agreed priorities, then adopted an annual plan, taking the impact of COVID into account. We are now taking that direction further with the development of a 2021-31 Long-term Plan. This plan sets direction for the next 10 years so it is critical that all members of Council have input.