Scott remains ECan deputy chair after tied vote

South Canterbury’s Peter Scott has been re-elected as Environment Canterbury’s deputy chairman but an environmentally friendly keep-cup played a crucial role in ending a dramatic stalemate at the new-look council’s first meeting.

Freshly elected Christchurch Northeast/Ōrei regional councillor Jenny Hughey was chosen as chairwoman unopposed.

She told Stuff she had several priorities as chairwoman – a public transport fleet for the region with lower carbon emissions, including more electric buses and a possible investigation of light rail, returning the environment to a state which ensured good health for future generations, and extending the climate change emergency to be an ecological emergency too.

Her first duty in the $180,000-a-year role was overseeing the election of her deputy.

Re-elected North Canterbury/ Ōpukepuke councillor Claire McKay was nominated and seconded by returning Mid-Canterbury/ Ōpakihi councillor John Sunckell and new Christchurch South/Ōwhanga councillor Phil Clearwater respectively.

Former deputy chairman Scott was then nominated by returning Christchurch Central/ Ōhoko representative Lan Pham and seconded by newly elected Christchurch South/Ōwhanga councillor Vicky Southworth.

Then it came to the vote but was soon clear, after two shows of hands, that both McKay and Scott had attracted seven votes.

ECan chief executive Bill Bayfield said: ‘‘This is going down to the wire, folks.’’

Under the rules agreed by councillors at the start of the meeting, any tie for winner had to be decided by lots being drawn. ‘‘Who’s got a hat?’’ Scott asked. A keep-cup was quickly procured and two pieces of paper dropped into it.

Hughey drew out Scott’s name and announced him as deputy chairman.

He then went across to McKay and gave her a hug.

Scott said he was ‘‘lucky’’. ‘‘It is a cruel way to end this. And I would have felt sorry for myself if I lost, and I feel sorry for you.’’