Independent chair likely for Waimate

An unelected official may be appointed chairman of a Waimate District Council committee that keeps an eye on the council’s planning and performance.

The council will on Tuesday decide whether to appoint Stephen Halliwell as independent chair of its audit and risk committee.

Halliwell is currently the independent chairman of the Clutha District Council’s audit and risk committee.

The Waimate council in April decided the committee could appoint an independent chairperson.

It also increased the budgeted limit for ‘‘independent professional advice’’ from $10,000 to $15,000.

Waimate Mayor Craig Rowley, contacted to explain the need for an independent chair, did not respond on Thursday.

His office supplied a response: ‘‘He will not comment on any items that will be discussed at an upcoming meeting of council as this would pre-empt discussion yet to occur.’’

However, council chief executive Stuart Duncan said such an appointment was not unusual, and something the council had wanted ‘‘for some years’’.

Duncan was unable to comment further due to commitments and time constraints.

The committee’s draft terms of reference say the independent chairperson would need experience in financial reporting, governance, industry or sector expertise and others.

Halliwell previously worked as group manager of corporate services for the Waitaki District Council. He was in that role for six years, and another four as the council’s finance manager.

‘‘I have a strong and broad understanding of local government,’’ he advises Waimate councillors in a report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting.

‘‘I believe my pragmatic approach to managing risk and ability to right size this for a small rural council assisted in my appointment.’’

Halliwell has been selfemployed for six years and has provided advice to council’s across the country, he advised.

If approved, he will join a committee that used to be called the audit and risk management committee and which previously conducted a months-long probe into unbudgeted spending at the Waimate Event Centre.

The investigation looked into the the council’s payment processes after it emerged some $75,000 of unbudgeted spend was added to the centre’s cost.

Some of the additions were made up-to eight months before they were presented to the council for approval.

The investigation identified procedural and process weaknesses, and its findings were presented to the council and its chief executive in February.

The current committee consists of councillor Sheila Paul, councillor David Anderson and Mayor Craig Rowley. Halliwell and councillor Jakki Guilford will join them if the proposal is accepted on Tuesday.