Fulton defends her trip to India
A Nelson councillor criticised for travelling to India to study yoga during the council term says the skills she learns will help her in her council work.
Kate Fulton said via email the trip was an opportunity for her to pursue personal development and her ‘‘lifelong love’’ of yoga.
‘‘Engaging in activities outside of council in no way diminishes my commitment to my council duties,’’ she said.
Fulton said Nelson ‘‘benefits from having diverse representation around the council table,’’ and what she learns in India will help her work on the council.
She has been been away since early February, and is not expected back until mid-March.
Her absence has drawn criticism from some councillors, including Tim Skinner.
Skinner said Fulton attending meetings remotely digitally made a mockery of what the technology was there for.
‘‘Imagine if I had gone away to learn how to kick a soccer-ball? Gone away to Brazil because I want to learn how to kick a soccer-ball better, and thought I’d just video-conference in?
‘‘I don’t think the public would be very happy,’’ he said.
Fulton first made Mayor Rachel Reese aware of possible travel plans in late October, but Skinner and fellow councillor Mel Courtney, were unaware until a few days before her departure.
While planning her trip Fulton received advice that she had the right to attend meetings via digital connection if possible, or otherwise to tender apologies for any meetings missed.
Mayor Rachel Reese said requests for a digital link was not granted ‘‘an automatic yes’’.
‘‘Each chair makes a judgment call on whether they will accept a request for remote attendance ... My judgement is based on a number of factors - what’s on the agenda, has the councillor been actively engaged in the matter under discussion, is this a critical decision where all councillors should participate.’’
Last week’s meeting on the council’s long term plan was a ‘‘critical meeting,’’ Reese said.
‘‘I was pretty insistent that Councillor Fulton was to make herself available for this meeting even if it meant getting up in the early hours of the morning. She complied with that request and was well prepared for the meeting.’’
Councillors such as Brian McGurk and Gaile Noonan said the system worked well, and they were satisfied with Fulton’s attendence, though McGurk said it was ‘‘not the same as being present’’.