ECan risk discussed

Environment Canterbury’s (ECan) strained relationships with local councils are on the mend, but it appears one is still on shaky ground. Commissioners at yesterday’s performance, audit and risk committee discussed ECan’s risk register, which rated its relationships with the nine district and city councils an ‘‘extreme’’ risk. The councils were integral in the ousting of ECan’s elected councillors in 2010 over water management issues. Commissioners suggested staff consider downgrading the risk rating to ‘‘medium’’ because bridges had been mended with most. The relationship with the Christchurch City Council, which ECan has battled on public transport issues, was the exception.