Official Information Request - 24 July 2019

Sent: Wednesday, 24 July 2019 9:56 a.m.

Subject: Official Information request - governance issues

I refer to your online Official Information request around the timing of staff reports to elected members, and reply below as per your request:

(1) Could you please advise what the timeline is that your council is working on.

3 working days

(2) Could you advise if it is working days or just days.

Working days - our council meetings are held on a Thursday with the agendas being released the Friday before the meeting (ie: 5 days including the weekend)

(3) Is there any difference between subcommittee reporting and full council meetings and/ or the size or complexity of the issue to be discussed.

There is no difference in timeframes

(4) Could you also advise if elected members are required to have staff reports prepared prior to meetings or if elected members can raise issues without staff reports.

Elected members can request a meeting to deal with an item not on the agenda (s.46A of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act). The item may be dealt with at the meeting if the local authority by resolution so decides.

As per the Act, we are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint.

Regards